Author: Sean C. Rowe
Even amid a historic federal government shutdown, the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program (SFHP) continued making progress for western North Carolina homeowners recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Over the past several weeks, the program broke ground on new home construction in Gastonia and Black Mountain, replaced a storm-damaged mobile home in Mill Spring, and completed home repairs in Marion, Hendersonville, and Fairview.
Across the region, construction and recovery work continues to ramp up. Recent highlights include several grant signings held at Renew NC local intake centers in Asheville, Boone, and Marion -- a key step that moves homeowners from application to rebuilding.
Before a grant signing, each homeowner has already been approved for assistance and accepted their award determination. During their appointment, they meet with their Renew NC team lead and case manager to review and sign documentation. Once that's complete, pre-construction and construction can begin, marking a major milestone on the road to recovery.
Funded by a $1.4 billion CDBG-DR grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is designed to meet the unmet recovery needs of homeowners impacted by Helene. The program also reached a major milestone this month, receiving its 5,000th application in early November.
The SFHP provides rehabilitation, reconstruction, replacement, or reimbursement assistance to eligible homeowners. It prioritizes low-to-moderate income families with seniors aged 62 and older, children under 18, and/or household members with disabilities in 28 western counties and one zip code in Mecklenburg County (28214).
Reconstruction
Renew NC is building a safer, more secure home for Ms. Johnson in Gastonia, N.C. Recently, a crew from BHL Federal LLC began work on the new construction. Framing is underway this week and it's exciting to see Ms. Johnson's home starting to take shape.
Last week, a crew from James W. Turner Construction began demolition to build a new home in Black Mountain, N.C. With the space cleared this week, pillar installation is expected to begin soon. Visit Renew NC on Facebook to view video from the demolition.
Rehabilitation
In Fairview, N.C., crews from DSW Homes are completing their work on Mr. Pantas longtime home this week. They are replacing his entire roof, adding a new hot water heater and sliding glass door, installing smoke detectors, replacing a missing light fixture, and fixing ceiling drywall in several places. To see more photos, visit Renew NC on Facebook.
Grant Signings
Recently, Mr. Heffner and his partner from Cleveland County met with Renew NC case manager Laura Malpica to sign their grant agreement at the Renew NC local intake center in Boone. After applying to the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program, Mr. Heffner was approved for housing recovery assistance. We're excited to be part of Mr. Heffner’s journey.
Ms. Brown and her family, of Swannanoa, N.C., visited the Renew NC intake center in Asheville to sign her grant agreement. Our team—including case manager Kailee McCabe and team lead Joanna Rengering—welcomed Ms. Brown with flowers, smiles, hugs and a few happy tears. Ms. Brown is approved for a three-bedroom, two-bath home reconstruction.
Renew NC is proud to be helping Ms. Lundy, of Asheville, get back into a safe, secure home after Helene. Ms. Lundy reached out to the Renew NC housing recovery program for help rebuilding her home. She qualified and, recently, signed her grant agreement with Renew NC team lead Brenda Pacetti and case manager Wendy Blakley at the Renew NC intake center in Marion. Ms. Lundy shared this exciting news with her two little girls in this video.