Author: Sean C. Rowe
When Richard and Nakisha Marvels walked through the front door of their new Hendersonville home last Friday, it wasn't just a move-in day -- it was a moment of relief after months of uncertainty following Hurricane Helene.
The couple's previous home of nearly 15 years suffered severe damage during the storm, leaving them searching for a way to feel safe and secure again. Like many western North Carolina homeowners, they faced the daunting task of navigating recovery options in the aftermath of a disaster.
Nakisha Marvels found that path through the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program (SFHP). She applied in July, just one month after Gov. Josh Stein announced the launch of Renew NC and the state's housing recovery program.
"We had some damage from Helene, so we did an application with Renew NC," Ms. Marvels said. "It took maybe 10 minutes to complete."
On Friday, Renew NC welcomed the Marvels into their new three-bedroom, two-bath home -- a fresh start made possible through the Single-Family Housing Program, which is administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce's Division of Community Revitalization (DCR).
The program provides rehabilitation, reconstruction, replacement, or reimbursement for homes damaged by Helene and is open to eligible homeowners in 28 counties in western North Carolina and one ZIP code -- 28214 in Mecklenburg County. As of Dec. 8, more than 6,700 homeowners in western NC have applied for assistance, including 833 applications from Henderson County.
The homecoming celebration included trusted community partners, including United Way Henderson County, the Henderson County Disaster Recovery Partnership, a local long-term recovery group, and Henderson County Commissioners Jay Egolf and Sheila Franklin. The Marvels expressed a special thanks to Partners in Construction Inc., the general contractor who built their new home in around 30 days.
Homeowners who have already received Helene-related assistance from FEMA or a home insurance policy can still apply to the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program. The program is designed to address housing recovery needs that remain after all other assistance has been exhausted.
For the Marvels, the impact of that support is simple and deeply personal. "Renew NC has been absolutely phenomenal," Ms. Marvels said.
Homeowners seeking more information about the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program can visit RenewNC.org, call (888) 791-0207, or visit a local Renew NC intake center. Program staff can help determine eligibility, and the Renew NC mobile app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2026.