North Carolina Governor’s Swift Action on Housing Crisis After Hurricane Helene
Governor Josh Stein, newly sworn into office, is taking decisive steps to tackle the housing crisis following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. In Asheville, he announced an executive order allowing the state to bypass lengthy procurement processes and acquire up to 1,000 temporary housing units for the affected residents.
This order is among the first five executive actions Stein has taken since assuming office on January 1. During his inauguration, he emphasized the urgency of supporting Western North Carolina’s recovery efforts from the hurricane.
The executive order specifically addresses the need for temporary housing by waiving procurement regulations. “When I have met with affected folks here in the mountains, the need for housing assistance and the repairing of private bridges and roads has come up in nearly every conversation. Western North Carolina, I want you to know that I hear you,” Stein stated.
Families eligible for these housing units must have applied for and been approved for FEMA assistance, and a third-party vendor will contact them directly, as per the governor’s office. The state will be fully reimbursed by FEMA for these housing units.
Hurricane Helene’s impact in North Carolina has been severe, with tens of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed, leaving over 12,000 people displaced. Stein stressed the importance of immediate housing solutions, despite the ongoing long-term rebuilding efforts. “While we are not losing focus on our longer term rebuilding goals, I want to reiterate that people need temporary housing now,” he remarked.
In addition to addressing housing, Stein’s second executive order eases procurement regulations for bridge and road construction services. He highlighted that more than 8,000 bridges and roads were damaged, hindering property access and essential services.
Moreover, three other executive orders have been issued to bolster recovery efforts:
- Establishing the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) and a Division of Community Revitalization within the Department of Commerce to focus on housing and community resilience.
- Forming a Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery to assist GROW NC in meeting community needs efficiently.
- Directing the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources to provide an additional 16 hours of Community Service Leave for state employees to participate in organized storm recovery efforts.
The governor’s actions follow a contentious legislative session where former Governor Roy Cooper’s veto on a disaster recovery bill was overridden. Critics argued the bill lacked sufficient relief funds for Western North Carolina, a claim disputed by Republican leaders who anticipated additional federal aid.
Stein’s predecessor, Roy Cooper, criticized the legislation as a “sham” and accused legislators of politicizing disaster recovery. GOP leaders maintained that considerable state funds were still available for recovery, with more federal assistance expected.
Alongside Stein’s inauguration, other newly elected officials, including Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, State Auditor Dave Boliek, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green, officially took office.
