North Carolina’s entire congressional delegate is joining forces in a letter pushing for $1.4 billion in federal funding for the state’s disaster recovery. The bipartisan, bicameral effort urges the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to approve the state’s Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding.
The letter comes after FEMA recently denied North Carolina’s request to maintain a full 100% federal match for the state’s continued Hurricane Helene recovery expenses.
Led by Sen Ted Budd, and joined by fellow US Sen. Thom Tillis Senator Thom Tillis, R, the letter joins NC members from across the aisle and chambers with signers including Representatives Chuck Edwards, R, NC-11, Richard Hudson, R, NC-09, Deborah Ross, D, NC-02, Don Davis, D, NC-01, David Rouzer, R, NC-07, Brad Knott, R, NC-13, Valerie Foushee, D, NC-04, Pat Harrigan, R, NC-10, Tim Moore, R, NC-14, and Alma Adams, D, NC-12.
In a press release, Budd said the letter outlined how critical the funding is in helping the state provide housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization to western North Carolina following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
“Last September, Hurricane Helene brought historic rainfall and strong winds to Western North Carolina, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides,” he stated. “The storm destroyed thousands of homes and damaged tens of thousands more, resulting in $12.7 billion in residential losses. Millions of North Carolinians lost access to essential services, and the region’s economy suffered a devastating hit, threatening livelihoods and the long-term stability of many of the state’s once-thriving communities.”
The letter references the Action Plan for the $1.4 billion CDBG-DR funding Democrat Gov. Josh Stein submitted to HUD last month. It was submitted 181 days after Helene made landfall, making North Carolina the fastest state to have submitted a plan following a major hurricane in the past decade.
“To rebuild damaged communities, we must rebuild people’s homes and our critical infrastructure,” said Stein, a Democrat. “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.”
Out of the $1.4 billion allocated to the state for Helene relief from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), $807 million is allocated to owner-occupied unit reconstruction and rehabilitation.
HUD can take up to 45 days to approve the plan and finalize the grant.
“We appreciate HUD’s focus on this urgent matter and urge expedited consideration of North Carolina’s Action Plan,” the legislators stated. “We stand ready to collaborate with you and your team at HUD to maximize the positive impact of this vital grant funding.”
While the congressional delegation presses HUD to approve the state’s recovery plan, the state is also facing setbacks from another key federal agency. In a letter sent Friday to Stein, acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton stated that the agency had concluded the full cost share was “not warranted.”
In late September of last year, the Biden administration authorized FEMA to fully reimburse North Carolina for disaster recovery expenses, including debris cleanup and other efforts for a period of 180 days.
The governor said he was extremely disappointed and urged President Trump to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision.