Asheville is moving more Helene recovery money toward helping homeowners repair and rebuild storm-damaged houses.

City Council approved an amendment to Asheville’s CDBG-DR Action Plan that redirects $19.2 million into the state’s Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program. City officials estimate the shift could help repair or rebuild about 55 to 65 Helene-damaged homes.

The change moves funding away from previously planned multifamily housing construction and infrastructure projects and toward direct homeowner repair and reconstruction. For residents still dealing with damaged homes months after Helene, that could make the recovery money feel more immediate and practical.

The funding shift is not final yet. The amendment still needs approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which oversees Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funding.

For Asheville, the decision reflects an ongoing challenge in disaster recovery: balancing long-term housing needs with urgent repair needs for people who are still trying to return to safe, stable homes. Multifamily housing and infrastructure remain important, but city leaders are now prioritizing a portion of the available recovery funding for owner-occupied homes damaged by Helene.

The state’s Renew NC program is designed to support single-family housing recovery, including repair, reconstruction, or related assistance for eligible homeowners. Once the amendment clears federal review, more details should become available about how residents may qualify, what documentation will be needed, and how the repair process will work.

Local takeaway: Asheville has approved shifting $19.2 million in Helene recovery funding toward single-family home repair and reconstruction, with an estimated 55–65 homes potentially helped. The change still needs HUD approval before moving forward.