Pisgah Legal Services encourages eligible homeowners to consider applying for Renew NC, a state program offering free assistance with home repair and rebuilding for those affected by Hurricane Helene. The program provides grants of up to $50,000 for home repairs and up to $450,000 for home rebuilding and replacement.
The application deadline is December 31, 2025, and this program may be one of the last chances for homeowners, who are still struggling with home damage and loss a year after the storm, to claim substantial help.
“Too many of our neighbors are still living in unsafe or temporary housing after Helene,” said Julia Horrocks, Managing Attorney at Pisgah Legal Services. “The Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program offers real help for homeowners and will also have a long-term impact on our communities. When homes are repaired and rebuilt, families have safe, stable housing, local contractors are paid for their work, and property taxes flow back into our counties.”
Pisgah Legal is not affiliated with Renew NC but provides disaster-related legal assistance, including help with Renew NC applications, and recognizes how vital this program is for many across the region.
WNC residents may qualify if they meet eligibility criteria, including:
- Owned the damaged home on Sept. 27, 2025 and still own it (includes both stick-built homes and mobile homes)
- Proof of primary residence
- Low-to-moderate income
- Damaged property is in one of the 29 identified Helene-impacted counties
- U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible
Pisgah Legal staff and trained volunteers are available to help individuals complete their Renew NC applications and connect clients with other possible disaster recovery resources. In addition, Pisgah Legal provides free legal assistance with disaster-related issues, such as debt, mortgage issues, help for tenants impacted by Helene, FEMA appeals, insurance and contractor problems, and fraud and scams.
“We’ve seen some homeowners hesitate to apply to Renew NC because they are unsure if the program is a scam or actually real,” said Horrocks. “This is a genuine opportunity to rebuild and recover. A Renew NC grant may not be right for every WNC homeowner facing home damage from Helene. However, we encourage everyone to explore this option as soon as possible if they are still struggling to rebuild.”
The eligible counties are: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg (28214), Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.
Residents can learn more and apply online at renewnc.org, call 1-888-791-0207, or visit a local Renew NC intake center. WNC residents can apply for free legal assistance and help with Renew NC applications at Pisgah Legal Services anytime online or by calling 828-253-0406. Additional resources can be found at pisgahlegal.org/helene.
ABOUT PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides a broad array of free, civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy and access to health care assistance in the 18-county WNC region. Last year, Pisgah Legal served more than 25,000 people and has been assisting the people of WNC since 1978.
PLS has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Cashiers, Franklin, Hendersonville, Highlands, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton, Spruce Pine and Waynesville. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and harnesses the power of approximately 250 volunteer lawyers who assist PLS clients. For more information, please visit www.pisgahlegal.org.
