Raleigh -- July 16, 2026: Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated communities across western North Carolina, Asheville resident Velma Chapman has officially returned home.
Governor Josh Stein presented Chapman with the keys to her newly rebuilt home, marking a major milestone in North Carolina's ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Chapman lost the home she had lived in for 28 years when the storm struck. Her new home was rebuilt through the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program.
"Through Renew NC's work and our partnership with volunteer organizations, we have repaired and rebuilt more than 1,000 homes for western North Carolinians," Governor Stein said. "Each completed home represents the start of a new chapter in someone's life, and we're proud to be part of homecoming stories like Ms. Chapman's."
Stephanie McGarrah, Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Division of Community Revitalization (DCR), said the day was about celebrating Chapman's return to a safe, secure home after months of recovery. She added that with nearly 400 additional homes currently in pre-construction, many more families will soon experience similar homecomings.
The Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program, administered through the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Division of Community Revitalization, continues to rebuild communities throughout western North Carolina by repairing, replacing, and reconstructing homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
According to the latest program update:
89 single-family homes have been completed.
71 homes are currently under construction.
More than 390 homeowners are in the pre-construction phase.
To help move projects forward, Renew NC is also providing temporary relocation assistance for eligible homeowners who have exhausted other housing options while their homes are being rebuilt.
The state continues investing heavily in Hurricane Helene recovery. Last week, Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 257, North Carolina's first full state budget in more than two years. The budget includes more than $700 million dedicated to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, including funding for temporary housing assistance and continued rebuilding across western North Carolina.
Governor Stein is also seeking additional federal assistance. During a June visit to Washington, D.C., he requested $10 billion in federal funding to help rebuild homes, restore infrastructure, strengthen communities, and support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Several additional recovery programs have also been launched to support western North Carolina:
$55 million has been made available to help local governments strengthen infrastructure and improve resilience against future natural disasters.
$70 million has been allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable multi-family rental housing for families across the region.
The Commercial District Revitalization Program will provide funding to help restore downtown business districts, create jobs, and revitalize communities damaged by Hurricane Helene.
For Velma Chapman, receiving the keys to her new home represented far more than the completion of a construction project. It marked the beginning of a new chapter after losing the place she had called home for nearly three decades.
While recovery work continues across western North Carolina, state officials say every completed home brings another family one step closer to rebuilding their lives. Programs like Renew NC remain focused on helping residents return to safe, permanent housing while creating stronger and more resilient communities for the future.
Source: Office of Governor Josh Stein and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Community Revitalization.
Image: Gov Stein's Office