Governor Josh Stein visited Saluda, North Carolina, to tour a home repaired by the Housing Assistance Corporation, a nonprofit organization working on housing recovery in western North Carolina. In October, the organization received a $300,000 grant to repair at least 20 homes in Polk, Henderson, and Transylvania counties as part of state-supported efforts for volunteer organizations involved in housing repair and replacement after Hurricane Helene.
“After Hurricane Helene, too many families across western North Carolina were left without a safe place to call home,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This grant program funded by the General Assembly is empowering nonprofits like the Housing Assistance Corporation to work alongside their neighbors to restore their homes. We are not letting up on the work of rebuilding.”
“As a local housing nonprofit serving three WNC counties, we decided after Hurricane Helene to launch a new disaster recovery team to accompany the community through this chapter,” said Margaret Fenton Lebeck, Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Assistance Corporation. “North Carolina’s grant allows us to have an even greater impact – helping more families return home.”
In 2025, Governor Stein allocated more than $16 million in grants for nonprofit volunteer organizations active in housing repair and replacement activities in western North Carolina. These grants support local groups repairing roofs, septic systems, and electrical wiring so that homes are safe and livable.
Volunteer organizations were eligible for these grants if they were actively working on repair or reconstruction projects in counties affected by Hurricane Helene under the Federal Disaster Declaration. The funding was made available through S.L. 2025-2, which Governor Stein signed into law on March 19, 2025. The General Assembly recently increased funding for this program by $18 million and released a new notice of funding opportunity.
Governor Stein has also announced nearly $50 million in grants for local governments to address storm-damaged infrastructure and awarded $500,000 in winterization grants to two nonprofits assisting with housing rebuilds across western North Carolina.
The VORG (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) grants supplement Renew NC—a state-run homebuilding and renovation initiative managed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization. Renew NC has received over 7,000 applications for single-family home assistance; its application deadline is January 31, 2025. Last month saw the launch of Renew NC’s Small Rental Rehabilitation Program.
Homeowners can access assistance at Renew NC intake centers located in Asheville, Boone, and Marion from Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with additional locations operating throughout western North Carolina on varying schedules.
Further information about eligibility for Renew NC’s Single-Family Housing Program is available at RenewNC.org or by calling (888) 791-0207. Homeowners may also visit intake centers or download the Renew NC app from Google Play or Apple App Store. Administrative details about Renew NC programs are posted at CommerceRecovery.nc.gov.
The Office of the Governor of North Carolina dates back to 1776 as its oldest public office and oversees operations within the state—including enforcing laws as chief executive—according to its official website. The governor directs policy through budget oversight and appointment powers (source). Josh Stein currently serves as North Carolina’s governor (source).
