Hurricane Matthew survivors whose homes were damaged by the storm can apply for additional financial help starting later this month.
The help with housing repairs, homeowner reimbursement, rental assistance and other housing-related needs is made possible by North Carolina’s approximately $237 million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds are part of approximately $1.5 billion in state and federal funds allocated to Hurricane Matthew recovery to date.
Hurricane Matthew Housing Recovery Application Centers will open in the four most severely impacted counties - Cumberland, Edgecombe, Robeson and Wayne - beginning November 30.
“Many families displaced by Matthew are back in their homes, but there is still much work to do to help families and communities recover from this devastating storm,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “I urge Matthew survivors in the hardest hit counties to sign up for appointments and apply for these disaster recovery grants.”
State officials urge residents in Cumberland, Edgecombe, Robeson and Wayne counties to apply as soon as application centers open in their area. Residents in other counties will receive instructions in December on how to begin the application process.
Homeowners can apply for the following types of assistance: single-family homeowner repair, single family homeowner reconstruction, reimbursement for housing repair and homeowner buyout. Mobile homeowners are eligible to apply for programs that will repair or replace impacted homes. Landlords with eight or fewer units can apply for assistance in the small rental program, while storm impacted renters are eligible to apply for temporary rental assistance. The state is also offering a homeowner assistance program and a multi-family rental assistance program. Program description details are available online at www.rebuild.nc.gov/apply.
Of the approximately $237 million in CDBG-DR funds awarded to North Carolina, the majority will go to help with housing needs. Counties have been awarded funding for the first two years of a three-year grant agreement making $31.33 million currently available in Robeson County, $13.56 million in Cumberland County, $12.38 million in Edgecombe County, and $9.5 million in Wayne County.
“Many North Carolinians are still trying to recover and rebuild after the storm and these grants can provide much needed help to those who qualify,” said Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks.
How to Apply for Help
Scheduling an appointment to complete an application is the first step in the process. Application specialists will then meet in person with disaster survivors to guide them through the full application. State officials recommend that applicants expect to spend two hours completing their application during the appointment.
Starting Tuesday, November 21, storm survivors can call the phone numbers below in Cumberland, Edgecombe, Robeson and Wayne counties to make an appointment.
| County | Phone Number for Appointment | Physical Address | Hours of Operation |
| Cumberland | (910) 550-1155 | Cumberland DSS Bldg. 1225 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301 |
Mon.-Fri. 7:30 AM – 5 PM |
| Edgecombe | (252) 665-8008 | 3003 N. Main Street Tarboro, NC 27886 |
Mon.-Sat. 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Robeson | (910) 550-1156 | Robeson DSS Bldg. 120 Glenn Cowan Rd. Lumberton, NC 28358 |
Mon.-Fri. 8:15 AM-5:15 PM |
| Wayne | (919) 366-4074 | Veteran Services Office 2001D E. Ash Street Goldsboro, NC 27530 |
Mon.-Sat. 10 AM – 6 PM |
Application centers will be closed on Sundays and on the following dates:
- Cumberland County application center will be closed Dec. 24 - 26 and Jan. 1 and 15.
- Edgecombe County application center will be closed Dec. 25 -27 and Jan. 1 and 15.
- Robeson County application center will be closed Dec. 22 - Jan. 2.
- Wayne County application center will be closed Dec. 6 10 AM - 12 PM, Dec. 11 10 AM - 12 PM, Dec. 18 10 AM – 12 PM, Jan. 8 10 AM – 12 PM, Dec. 25 - 27 and Jan. 1.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Applicants will need to bring as many of the following required documents with them as possible: photo identification, proof of legal residency, proof they lived in the damaged residence at the time of Hurricane Matthew any before and after pictures of the property (if available), a copy of a tax return or last three pay stubs for all adults who live in the home, copies of insurance payments received for the damaged property, copies of all other disaster assistance received (FEMA, SBA, charity), and receipts and photos for any repairs already completed prior to application. Homeowners will also need to provide proof of ownership. Renters will also need to provide copy of their lease. For a checklist of all documents to bring, go to www.rebuild.nc.gov/apply.
The application process is the first step in applying to receive housing recovery assistance. After coming into a center, each applicant will provide information to assist in the housing programs process. Once all the required information and documents are provided, each person’s file will be reviewed for eligibility. Applicants should expect to hear initial feedback on their application within a few weeks. At each step of the process, applicants will have an opportunity to learn the status of their application. Timing of results will depend on factors including how soon people submit an application and how much of the required information they are able to provide. The most important initial step is to make an appointment to begin the process.
For additional information on Hurricane Matthew Housing Recovery Grants, visit www.rebuild.nc.gov/apply.
“Not since Hurricane Floyd in 1999 has a storm devastated so many North Carolina homes,” said state Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry. “Recovery is a long process, but there is help available for those who need it.”
Hurricane Matthew caused an estimated $4.8 billion in damage to North Carolina, damaging nearly 100,000 homes. Click here to read more about North Carolina’s recovery since Hurricane Matthew.