Apply for Helene Recovery Housing Assistance: Up to 3 Months of Rent, Mortgage, or Utility Relief

Buncombe County residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for the County’s Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant which can provide up to three months of rent, mortgage, or home utility bills.

Eligibility 
Buncombe County residents who have lived in the County prior to September 26, 2024, are eligible. 

They must also meet the following criteria: 

• The household’s finances must have been negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene. 
• U.S. Citizenship Status is not required.
• The household’s income is within 80% of the Area Median Income: 

What can funds be used for? 
All payments will be made directly to the landlord, mortgage company, or utility company.  

• Rental Assistance: Rent can be paid for up to three consecutive months and can cover both overdue rent payments starting in October 2024 or upcoming payments. 
• Mortgage Assistance: Mortgage can be paid for up to three consecutive months and can cover overdue rent payments starting in October 2024 or upcoming payments. 
• Utilities: Payment of up to three months of past due utilities and home energy costs for bills after September 27, 2024. 
  • Eligible utility bills include: electricity, gas, water, and sewer.  

What is not covered by this grant: 

• Debris removal (for assistance, apply for PPDR) 
• Fuel costs
• Internet 
• Property taxes 
• Telephone and cable/satellite 
• Credit card bills 
• Hotel/motel payments 
• Insurance payments 
• Lost food from the storm 

For assistance not covered by the County’s Helene Recovery Housing Assistance grant, please apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance which can cover expenses for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Help with heating bills can also be obtained by applying for the Low-Income Energy Assistance program.

Note: Eligible applicants through FEMA’s Rental Assistance Program may receive rental assistance for three-month periods up to a maximum of 18 months from September 28, 2024. This may be a better option for those who may qualify for longer rental coverage. 

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Grant Process  
Funds for the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Housing Assistance grant are available until they are exhausted. To better serve the community, all eligible applications received during the open application window will be randomly ranked and will then be served in that order until the money runs out. Funds are limited, so unfortunately not everyone who is eligible will receive funds. 

• Dec. 5, 2024: Applications open at 8 a.m. 
• Dec.18, 2024: Applications close at 5 p.m.  
• Dec. 20, 2024: Applicants will start getting contacted to verify their application. 

Have questions? Call 828-250-5500 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Community Resources 

Looking for rental assistance?  Buncombe County's Housing Recovery support group has collaborated with local nonprofits to develop an information guide on rental assistance. This guide is below and includes a variety of different organizations providing rental assistance to residents of Buncombe County. To learn more about the different organizations and their contact information, please see the guide attached.

Related Resources

What You Need to Know About Debris Removal

USDA: Emergency Watershed Protection Program

Funding for Home Projects: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program