Author: Sean C. Rowe
Kathy and Douglas Hall called a place in Black Mountain their home for nearly 45 years. It's where they raised two children and enjoyed many fond family memories. Then, in September 2024, Hurricane Helene struck.
Their house was badly damaged by the devastating storm, so the Halls turned to the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program for help. Administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce's Division of Community Revitalization (DCR), the Renew NC housing recovery program can provide rehabilitation, reconstruction, replacement, or reimbursement for homes damaged by Helene.
The program is open to homeowners in 28 counties in western North Carolina and one ZIP code -- 28214 in Mecklenburg County. As of December 8, the SFHP has received more than 6,700 applications for assistance, including 1,780 applications from Buncombe County.
On Friday, the Halls' long journey toward recovery reached a joyful milestone. Joined by their two adult children, the couple received the keys to their newly built home from Renew NC and general contractor James W. Turner Construction.
Speaking with WLOS, Ms. Hall summed up the moment simply and powerfully: "We're finally home, and we don't have to move again."
Buncombe County Commissioner Al Whitesides joined the celebration, offering his congratulations and well wishes as the Halls begin their next chapter -- in the community they have called home for at least half a century.
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.
Homeowners seeking more information about the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program can go online to RenewNC.org, call (888) 791-0207, or visit an in-person location. Program staff can help determine if the homeowner qualifies for assistance. The Renew NC app is also available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
The deadline to apply to the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is January 31, 2026.