FEMA Allocates $26 Million for Home Buyouts in North Carolina
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the allocation of an additional $26 million to facilitate the purchase of 75 homes in western North Carolina. This funding aims to aid recovery efforts in a region significantly impacted by the storm.
The announcement precedes a visit from newly-confirmed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, whose department oversees FEMA. Recovery funding had been delayed due to a prolonged shutdown, lasting over 50 days, caused by congressional disagreements over Immigration and Customs Enforcement oversight. More details can be found at Shutdown Tracker.
The buyout initiative falls under the Hazard Mitigation Home Buyout program, which enables affected homeowners to sell their damaged properties to local governments at values assessed before the storm. However, a specific FEMA regulation had previously hindered progress by restricting road construction on these lands.
FEMA acknowledged in a press release, “This is just one example of how red tape impacts survivors and delays recovery.” The agency is actively seeking innovative solutions to overcome these administrative hurdles.
Last week, FEMA shared a finalized plan with North Carolina authorities to address issues related to road construction on affected properties. This move allows local governments to initiate the “pre-offer” process for homeowners in Henderson, Polk, and Yancey counties.
Further details on the buyout process can be explored in the article, FEMA approves first batch of home buyouts. Homeowners still face a lengthy process.
The pre-offer process involves property surveys and appraisals, followed by purchase offers from local governments. Once an offer is accepted, the house is demolished, and the land is transferred to the local government. This entire process is initially funded by the state, which later seeks reimbursement from FEMA.
Matt Calabria, head of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, expressed to state lawmakers, “In a lot of ways it feels like it should be the finish line, but it’s really the starting gun.” A total of 683 applications have been submitted for the program, according to Calabria.
Secretary Mullin has directed FEMA to eliminate the backlog of buyout requests and hasten the approval process. Karen S. Evans, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator, stated, “Under Secretary Mullin’s empowering leadership, FEMA is taking swift, decisive action to help survivors. The funding announced today will make a real difference for recovering communities, but our work is not finished.”
This funding round is designated for acquiring 53 homes in Yancey County, 18 in Henderson County, and four in Polk County.
