If your Asheville home was damaged by Tropical Storm Helene back in September 2024, there’s help available—but you need to act fast.

The City of Asheville has partnered with the State of North Carolina to dedicate $3 million specifically for home repairs and reconstruction for Asheville homeowners affected by the storm. Applications close January 31, 2026.

What to Know, At A Glance

Who qualifies: Asheville homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by Tropical Storm Helene (not those with rental properties or vacation homes)
Priority goes to: Lower-income households (under 60% AMI) with children, elderly residents, or individuals with disabilities
Funding available: Up to $50,000 for repairs, up to $450,000 for reconstruction
How it works: The state’s Renew NC program handles applications and manages the repair/rebuild process
Deadline: January 31, 2026

Photo: The City of Asheville

About the City of Asheville’s CDBG-DR

The City of Asheville and the State of North Carolina have partnered to provide $3 million in disaster recovery funding for homeowners whose homes were damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley signed the agreement on January 7, 2026, and applications are being accepted through January 31 at RenewNC.org.

This funding comes from a federal grant—HUD’s Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery—and is specifically designated for the Renew NC Single-Family Home Repair Program, which helps homeowners across 28 counties (not just Asheville, though Asheville’s $3 million is specifically for homes within city limits) repair primary residences damaged by the September 2024 storm.

How the Program Works

The City of Asheville is working with the state’s Renew NC Program; Renew NC takes care of processing applications, determining who qualifies, conducting environmental reviews, managing repairs, and overseeing construction. The City reimburses the state for eligible work done on homes within Asheville city limits and monitors the program to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Who Gets Priority

The program uses a tiered approach, giving priority to lower-income households (earning less than 60% of Area Median Income) that include children, elderly residents, or individuals with disabilities. If funds remain after serving these priority households, the program will assist applicants in higher income brackets.

Funding per household is limited to $50,000 for home rehabilitation and up to $450,000 for reconstruction, depending on eligibility and need.

Time Is Running Out

The application window closes at the end of January. If Tropical Storm Helene damaged your home, don’t wait—apply as soon as possible. The deadline is Saturday, January 31.