News Summary
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved a $150 million disaster recovery plan to assist South Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. This funding, designated through the CDBG-DR program, addresses the unmet recovery needs totaling approximately $2.1 billion, with a significant portion allocated for housing recovery. Key elements of the plan involve rehabilitation, buyouts of damaged properties, and mitigation efforts aimed at reducing future disaster risks. The program is expected to open for applications by September 2025.
Columbia, South Carolina – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved a comprehensive $150 million disaster recovery plan aimed at aiding South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. This plan is funded through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, as the state continues its efforts to rebuild and recover from the hurricane’s devastation.
The Action Plan highlights a significant analysis of unmet needs in South Carolina post-Hurricane Helene, which total approximately $2.1 billion. More than $1.7 billion of this amount is related specifically to housing. The state is now ready to implement this plan to address the recovery requirements for individuals and communities impacted by the disaster.
Key Components of the Plan
The strategic allocation within the Action Plan is designed to fund various critical activities, including:
- Rehabilitation, replacement, and reconstruction of single-family homes.
- Rehabilitation of affordable rental housing.
- Voluntary buyouts of damaged properties.
- Mitigation projects aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters.
Eligible Areas and Applicants
Counties eligible for the CDBG-DR housing program include:
- Aiken
- Anderson
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Laurens
- Spartanburg
- Abbeville
- Cherokee
- Edgefield
- McCormick
- Oconee
- Orangeburg
- Pickens
- Saluda
- Union
Eligible applicants seeking housing assistance must represent either low-to-moderate income homeowners impacted by the hurricane or rental property owners with confirmed damage. Within this program, priority will be given to those earning 30% or less than the Area Median Income for their respective counties.
Mitigation Efforts
In addition to direct housing assistance, the plan also earmarks $19.6 million specifically for mitigation activities designed to enhance resilience and reduce future risks. This funding will support:
- Infrastructure projects.
- Voluntary buyouts.
- Plans and studies focused on disaster readiness.
- Matching funds to support additional resilience-related projects.
Local governments, state agencies, and councils of governments in the previously mentioned eligible counties can apply for the mitigation funding.
Implementation Timeline
The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR), led by Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan, is overseeing the implementation and is currently in the process of finalizing a contractor to facilitate the program. Meetings with local governments in the eligible counties are planned to prepare for the application period for mitigation activities, expected to begin in Fall 2025.
The housing recovery program is scheduled to open to applicants by the end of September 2025. As part of the ongoing support for hurricane survivors, SCOR’s Disaster Case Management team is actively assisting individuals at mobile intake events, connecting them with vital recovery resources.
Further Information
Residents looking for more information about the approved Action Plan, the housing recovery program, and additional recovery resources can find comprehensive details on the SCOR website. The approval of this significant funding represents a critical step in rebuilding efforts for communities severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.
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Additional Resources
- Cola Daily
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene (2018)
- The State
- Google Search: Hurricane Helene 2018
- WLTX
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
- WRDW
- Google News: Hurricane Helene South Carolina
Author: HERE Greenwood
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