If you are still navigating Hurricane Helene recovery, this guide points you to the official starting places. We are a news outlet, not an aid agency, so we link you to the bodies that actually administer help, and we keep this updated as programmes change.

Start here

  • Buncombe County recovery hub. The county runs a central recovery information point covering housing, debris, funding and community resources. It is the single most useful first stop.
  • Dial 211 (United Way). NC 211 is a free information and referral line that connects you to local assistance programmes; dial 2-1-1 from any phone.

Housing and rebuilding

The main state route for repair and rebuilding help is Renew NC, North Carolina's long-term housing recovery programme. It covers 29 counties including Buncombe, prioritises lower-income households with seniors, children or disabled members, and offers repairs, reconstruction, manufactured-home replacement and reimbursement. You can apply at RenewNC.org or by phone on (888) 791-0207, and there is an in-person intake centre in Asheville. Eligibility and deadlines have changed during the recovery, so confirm the current terms before you apply. The county also maintains a dedicated Helene housing page.

Small business

If you run a small business still recovering from the storm, Mountain BizWorks has offered Helene recovery lending for local firms. It is a sensible place to ask about loan options and advice.

Food and immediate needs

For immediate needs, the 211 line can route you to current food and assistance resources, and local charities including Eblen Charities and the United Way of Asheville-Buncombe network have supported residents throughout the recovery.

A note on verification: avoid the scams

Recovery scams and misinformation spread after disasters. Confirm any programme, deadline or contact detail against an official source before acting on it, and be wary of anyone asking for money or personal details out of the blue. For the wider picture of where the recovery stands, see our Helene recovery tracker, and for the worst-hit creative district, our River Arts District update.

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