December 31 Deadline Nears for Renew NC Home Repair Assistance

(Burnsville, NC) – 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 application deadline is coming up quickly on 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 to repair or rebuild homes damaged by the storm.”

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 homeowners may qualify if they meet eligibility criteria, including:

“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. We also hear homeowners say they cannot apply because of title issues with their property, but we encourage them to reach out to see what’s possible.”

Horrocks notes, “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.”

With the deadline to apply just weeks away, Pisgah Legal recommends that homeowners reach out directly to Renew NC for more information and to apply. Homeowners can apply online at renewnc.org, call 1-888-791-0207, or visit a local Renew NC intake center. In Yancey County, residents can apply in person with Renew NC staff on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am – 5pm at the Yancey County Long-Term Recovery Group’s office, 715 East Main Street in Burnsville.

Pisgah Legal staff are also available to help individuals who may be unable to complete a Renew NC application on their own or have property issues they need to address to secure Renew NC funds. Additionally, Pisgah Legal attorneys can review a Renew NC contract and advise homeowners on if they have been approved for a grant and have questions.

Pisgah Legal provides free legal assistance with many disaster-related issues, such as debt, mortgage issues, help for tenants impacted by Helene, FEMA appeals, FEMA housing assistance denials, evictions from FEMA trailers, insurance and contractor problems, and fraud and scams.

WNC residents can apply for free legal assistance and help with Renew NC applications or contracts at Pisgah Legal Services anytime online or by calling 828-253-0406. Additional resources can be found at pisgahlegal.org/helene.

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.