North Raleigh Today

Governor Josh Stein has officially submitted North Carolina's proposed Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeking approval for a $1.4 billion federal disaster recovery grant. These funds aim to address housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization needs in Western North Carolina following a major hurricane.

The plan was crafted with public input from a 30-day comment period and marks the fastest submission by any state following a major hurricane in the last ten years. Governor Stein emphasized the urgency of the approval process, stating, “To rebuild damaged communities, we must rebuild people’s homes and our critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the many North Carolinians who provided input on this plan over the past 30 days, and I urge the federal government to review and approve it swiftly so we can jumpstart permanent home rebuilding as quickly as possible.”

The plan’s development was led by the newly formed Division of Community Revitalization under the Department of Commerce, directed by Deputy Secretary Stephanie McGarrah. The division not only formulated the plan but also engaged the public through meetings held in six locations in Western North Carolina to solicit feedback.

The federal CDBG-DR grant is designed to address longer-term recovery needs, focusing on housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization. The Helene Action Plan directs most funds to housing recovery for low and moderate-income residents, with further allocations for infrastructure rebuilding and economic revitalization, concentrating on small businesses and commercial areas.

Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley underscored the plan’s urgency and wide-ranging support, saying, “We are moving with urgency so that western North Carolina receives the relief it needs. I am grateful to the public for their comments and to everyone who has worked to get this plan submitted, and I eagerly await its approval by HUD.”

With current needs exceeding available resources, the state has already appropriated $120 million for initial housing recovery efforts, though damage assessments are still in progress. Additionally, a separate grant of $225 million has been allocated directly to the City of Asheville for local administration.

The action now awaits HUD's approval, which would allow for the full deployment of the $1.4 billion in federal funds to aid recovery efforts.