Latest news with #DivisionofCommunityRevitalization
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Carolina submits disaster ‘Action Plan' for federal housing dollars
A storm-damaged home in western North Carolina. (Photo: North Carolina Department of Commerce HUD CDBG-DR Helene recovery Action Plan) North Carolina has submitted its Action Plan for $1.4 billion in federal disaster recovery money to address unmet housing, infrastructure and economic revitalization needs in western North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein's press office reported Thursday. The plan was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval on Wednesday after a 30-day public comment period. If approved by HUD, a little more than 60% — $860.7 million — of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) money would go to reconstruct and rehabilitate owner-occupied housing damaged during Hurricane Helene. Meanwhile, 13.55% — $193.5 million — of the federal dollars would go to electrical, gas water, sewer, waste and telecom infrastructure repairs and improvements as well as road and bridge repairs. Another 13.4% — $191.3 million would go to rental housing repairs. The plans also call for 13% — $186 million — for 'mitigation set-asides.' HUD describes these as efforts to 'increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship by lessening the impact of future disasters.' Also, 7.8% — $111 million — is earmarked for economic revitalization. 'To rebuild damaged communities, we must rebuild people's homes and our critical infrastructure,' Stein said in a news release. '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.' Stein has created a new division at the Commerce Department to administer the HUD CDBG-DR program for western North Carolina. The Division of Community Revitalization is led by Deputy Secretary Stephanie McGarrah, which spearheaded the development of the Action Plan. CDBG-DR grants focus on longer-term rebuilding rather than immediate needs for shelter. They are intended to address unmet needs in three core areas of recovery – housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization. The Action Plan proposes that most funds go to housing recovery for low- and moderate-income residents, with the remaining funds targeted for infrastructure rebuilding and economic revitalization, particularly for small businesses and commercial districts. 'We are moving with urgency so that western North Carolina receives the relief it needs,' said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. As the state awaits HUD approval, the Division of Community Revitalization's housing recovery work has already gotten underway with a recent appropriation of $120 million in state funds from the General Assembly for home reconstruction and repair. Although damage assessments are still ongoing, the current allotment of $1.42 billion will fall short of the unmet housing needs facing the region. A separate HUD CDBG-DR grant of $225 million was allocated directly to the City of Asheville to administer.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Stein invites input on recovery plan for Western North Carolina
RALEIGH N.C. (WNCT) — Governor Josh Stein invites North Carolinians to participate in the development of an Action Plan to address housing and economic hurricane recovery needs in Western North Carolina. The $1.4 billion proposed plan, published by N.C. Commerce's new Division of Community Revitalization will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval once the draft plan is finalized. The Action Plan is a required step for receiving federal funds from a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) award, which Governor Stein announced at a January 7th press conference in Asheville. Today marks the opening of a formal, 30-day comment period when people can offer input through email, online, by postal letter or fax, or through a series of public meetings being scheduled this month in least six Western North Carolina communities. 'Western North Carolina is going to build back stronger than ever, but it's going to take work and planning,' said Governor Stein. 'I am grateful to everyone who offers constructive feedback and works with us to turn this plan into reality and spur action in the region's economy.' The state's Action Plan draft can be found online at Several options are available for submitting comments about the state's proposed CDBG-DR Action Plan. Go online to Mail your comments to: North Carolina Department of Commerce 4346 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4301 Attention: CDBG-DR Public Comment Fax your comments to: (919) 715-0096 Email your comments to: In addition, a series of in-person public hearings are scheduled in the month of February in six western North Carolina locations. Details of these meetings can be reviewed at the N.C. Commerce website. More information about N.C. Commerce's new Division of Community Revitalization and its role in the western North Carolina recovery can be found online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Stein seeks input to address unmet housing, economic needs that remain from Helene in western NC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The governor's office is seeking input in the development of an plan to address unmet needs for those impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Stein invites North Carolinians to participate in the development of an Action Plan to address needs related to housing and economic revitalization. The $1.4 billion proposed plan, published by N.C. Commerce's new Division of Community Revitalization, will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval once the draft plan is finalized. NC House lawmakers consider $500 million for Hurricane Helene relief The Action Plan is a required step for receiving federal funds from a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) award, which Stein announced Jan. 7. Tuesday is the opening of a formal, 30-day comment period when people can offer input through email, online, by postal letter or fax, or through a series of public meetings being scheduled this month in least six communities. Two of the public meetings are in the Charlotte area: Western Piedmont Council Office Thursday, Feb. 27, 1:30pm – 3:30pm 1880 Second Ave. NW, Hickory Centralina Regional Council Office Friday, Feb. 28 10 a.m. to noon 10735 David Taylor Drive, Suite 250, Charlotte 'Western North Carolina is going to build back stronger than ever, but it's going to take work and planning,' said Stein in a statement. 'I am grateful to everyone who offers constructive feedback and works with us to turn this plan into reality and spur action in the region's economy.' The Helene Action Plan proposes a majority of funds go to housing recovery for low- and moderate-income residents. The plan also lays out proposed funds for infrastructure rebuilding and economic support, particularly for small businesses and commercial districts. Governor Stein advocating for $1.07 billion to rebuild western NC 'Hearing ideas from as many stakeholders and western North Carolina partners as possible will sharpen this proposal, positioning us to succeed with the tough recovery job ahead of us,' said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. A damage and needs assessment published by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) in December 2024 estimated 73,700 homes were likely to have been damaged in the storm. Cost estimates for housing impacts include an estimated $12.7 billion in residential damage. Currently, the pending HUD CDBG-DR grant earmarked for the State of North Carolina stands at $1.4 billion, pending federal approval of the state's Action Plan. Although this allotment will fall short of the unmet housing needs estimate, these funds will serve as a critical cornerstone for the revitalization of western North Carolina's homes and businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
