FEMA Buyout Funds Pending for Western North Carolina Property Owners
More than 300 property owners in western North Carolina are waiting for a stalled federal program to buy their flooded properties, damaged by Hurricane Helene.
According to Matt Calabria, director of the Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has approximately $1.6 billion in pending funds.
Federal officials have assured that $1.6 billion will be available to fund the program, but not a single owner has been bought out yet.
- Groups of applications submitted in February are still awaiting official approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- A "lock-in" letter confirming the portion of funds for the buyout program is expected to arrive at state offices soon, according to Calabria.
GROW NC's director is focusing on western North Carolina's Helene recovery and is working to move the program forward.
Author's summary: Over 300 property owners await buyout funds.