Applications for North Carolina’s initiatives to repair and rebuild multi-family and workforce housing in the western regions will open in early 2026, as announced by Governor Josh Stein.
Governor Stein indicated that applications for multi-family housing will start at the beginning of the year, followed by those for workforce housing.
These housing programs are part of a broader federal initiative to reconstruct homes impacted by Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. The state has been processing applications for single-family housing since June, with submissions closing on December 31.
The single-family housing program, which utilizes the majority of a $1.4 billion federal grant, has allocated over $800 million. According to the state’s federally-approved plan, approximately $191 million is set aside for the multi-family program, and $53 million for the workforce program.
The staggered rollout of these programs is attributed to limited staffing, as state officials are prioritizing the single-family program enrollment, Stein explained. Originally, the multi-family and workforce programs were anticipated to launch in late 2025.
State records show nearly 5,000 active applications for single-family housing as of December 4.
For multi-family housing, the focus will be on rental projects divided into small (up to four units) and large (five or more units) categories, including mixed-use developments. Eligible applicants include for-profit developers, nonprofits, and local governments for large projects.
Funding for small projects ranges from $250,000 to $1.5 million, while large projects can secure up to $15 million, as outlined in the state plan.
Projects with existing or potential low-income housing tax credits will involve consultations with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. Priority is given to developments in regions with high costs relative to median income and elevated poverty rates.
The N.C. Department of Commerce, managing these housing programs, plans for multiple application rounds for large multi-family projects over several years, according to the plan.
The workforce housing initiative is expected to have a single application round.
The program’s objective is to encourage workers to stay in western North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene and address past housing production deficiencies in the area, as detailed in the state plan.
Workforce housing will be available for purchase to households earning up to 80% of the area’s median income. Local governments, public and private entities, and nonprofits can apply to develop these projects.
