WNC -- June 28, 2026: Western North Carolina communities continue rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, and a new state program aims to help restore one of the region's biggest needs—affordable rental housing.
Governor Josh Stein has announced the opening of applications for the Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program, making $70 million available to repair damaged apartment communities and build new affordable rental housing throughout western North Carolina.
The funding is part of North Carolina's long-term recovery effort following Hurricane Helene and is intended to increase the supply of safe, affordable housing for families who continue to face limited rental options months after the storm.
"Many communities are still struggling with a shortage of available housing," Stein said in announcing the program. "These investments will help rebuild neighborhoods and provide stable homes for North Carolinians."
Supporting Long-Term Recovery
The program provides financial assistance for projects that include five or more rental units. Eligible developments may receive funding to repair storm-damaged apartment buildings, rehabilitate existing multi-family housing, or construct new affordable rental communities.
State officials say expanding affordable housing is essential to helping workers, families, seniors, and local businesses recover as western North Carolina continues rebuilding.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to a variety of housing partners, including:
Private developers
Nonprofit housing organizations
Public housing authorities
Local governments
Joint development partnerships
Projects must meet program eligibility requirements and serve communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Counties Eligible in Western North Carolina
The program includes many mountain and foothill counties, including:
Ashe
Avery
Buncombe
Burke
Caldwell
Catawba
Clay
Haywood
Henderson
Jackson
Macon
Madison
McDowell
Mitchell
Polk
Rutherford
Swain
Transylvania
Watauga
Wilkes
Yancey
Several additional western and foothill counties are also eligible under the state's disaster recovery designation.
Part of a Larger Recovery Investment
The Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and is one component of North Carolina's broader Renew NC recovery initiative.
State leaders hope the investment will not only replace housing lost during Hurricane Helene but also create more resilient communities capable of withstanding future natural disasters.
For many mountain communities where rental vacancies remain extremely limited and rebuilding continues, the funding represents another important step toward restoring housing opportunities for residents displaced by the storm.
Housing developers and organizations interested in applying can find program guidelines and application information through Renew NC Official Website: