Author: Sean C. Rowe
RALEIGH – Renew NC, the state’s long-term disaster recovery initiative for western North Carolina, is now accepting applications for its newest program, the Small Rental Rehabilitation Program. Landlords with small rental properties — one to four units — can apply for assistance to repair, replace, or reconstruct properties damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The program is intended to help restore a vital supply of rental housing across western North Carolina, where communities are experiencing a significant shortage of affordable homes – especially in the wake of Helene.
The Renew NC programs are funded through a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of the total $1.4 billion in CDBG-DR funding that was allocated to the state for western North Carolina recovery needs, $57.4 million is allocated to the Renew NC Small Rental Rehabilitation Program.
To help interested applicants prepare, Renew NC has developed a Small Rental Rehabilitation Program Toolkit, available for viewing and download at the CommerceRecovery.nc.gov website. The toolkit is available in English and Spanish and can also be printed as a PDF.
- Small Rental Rehabilitation Program toolkit in English
- Small Rental Rehabilitation Program toolkit en Español
The toolkit provides detailed information on key program topics, including:
- Eligibility requirements
- Eligible geographic areas
- Steps in the recovery process
- Award caps per structure
- Affordability and compliance requirements
Landlords will also find an application document checklist to help them prepare before applying.
Applications may be submitted online at the CommerceRecovery.nc.gov website or in person at Renew NC intake centers in Asheville, Boone, or Marion. A full listing of Renew NC center locations and hours of operation is available online.
The toolkit also includes answers to frequently asked questions about the Small Rental Rehabilitation Program. For additional assistance, contact Renew NC at 1-888-791-0207 or by email at HeleneRecovery@RenewNC.org.
Renew NC is also available to speak with local groups about the Small Rental Rehabilitation Program. The 30-minute informational sessions include time for questions and can be held either online or in person. To learn more or schedule a session, contact Renew NC Outreach Director Samantha Graham at samantha.graham@commerce.nc.gov.
Renew NC, North Carolina’s long-term disaster recovery effort, is administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Community Revitalization and funded through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant.