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FEMA temporary units: 74 provided, 50 occupied; Renew NC housing program opens with state CDBG funds
Summary
County staff briefed commissioners on FEMA-installed temporary housing (74 units, 50 occupied), options for survivors to buy units as-is, and the state’s Renew NC single-family program funded by CDBG-DR with about $860 million allocated to 29 counties.
Jonathan (county housing staff) updated the board on two housing items: FEMA temporary units and the state-run Renew NC housing program.
Jonathan said FEMA installed 74 manufactured homes and travel trailers under emergency housing authorities; 50 units are currently occupied by survivors. He said 11 of those occupied units are located on private property and 39 are in commercial parks. FEMA has notified 26 households of eligibility to purchase the units they occupy; 21 households responded that they were interested, 18 have gone through FEMA’s interview/documentation process and six households have received letters indicating they may purchase their units. Jonathan said units are sold “as-is, where-is” and households choosing to purchase would be responsible for zoning, building-code compliance, foundation/placement and utility connections. FEMA’s listed purchase prices range between roughly $4,000 and $23,000; Jonathan said households should also plan for transport (~$10,000) and up to an additional ~$10,000 for connections and code upgrades in some circumstances.
County staff said survivors who buy units would be expected to secure hazard insurance and to assume ongoing utility bills. FEMA can remove unclaimed units, sell them at auction, or donate surplus units to nonprofits or local governments if arrangements are made.
On Renew NC, Jonathan said the North Carolina Department of Commerce opened the single-family Renew NC application, funded through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocation of roughly $860 million for owner-occupied home repairs across 29 impacted counties. The program covers repair, rebuild and replacement of single-family homes (including manufactured homes), prioritizes households under 60% AMI with additional prioritization for seniors, households with children and people with disabilities, and includes a later phase that may reimburse homeowners for eligible work already completed. Jonathan said the state will select contractors and households awarded funds will sign a forgivable-grant agreement that requires occupants to remain in the home for three years or repay a portion of the grant if they relocate.
He said residents can apply at www.renewnc.org, by phone at (888) 791-0207, via the Renew NC mobile app, or in person at the Helene Resource Center (94 Cox Avenue). Jonathan encouraged residents who believe they may seek reimbursement in later phases to preserve receipts and documentation for prior repairs.
