Asheville Hosts Community Meetings on Hurricane Helene Recovery

News Summary

Asheville is hosting a series of public meetings in February to gather community input on $225 million in recovery funds for Hurricane Helene. The discussions will focus on the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program, aimed at addressing housing and infrastructure needs following the hurricane’s impact. Residents are encouraged to participate and voice their opinions to help shape the draft Action Plan, which will be released for public comment in March.

Asheville Gears Up for Community Meetings on Hurricane Helene Recovery Funds

Asheville is stepping into action! The city is hosting a series of public meetings throughout February to gather community input on a staggering $225 million in disaster recovery funds allocated for Hurricane Helene recovery. This is your chance to make your voice heard and help shape how these vital funds will be used to aid our community.

What’s This All About?

The discussions will mainly revolve around the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which is focused on addressing the unmet needs that arose from the hurricane’s devastation. This federal program aims to provide essential funding to communities affected by major disasters, and it’s crucial that all residents get involved to ensure their unique concerns and needs are represented.

This funding is not just a drop in the bucket; it’s a significant boost aimed at tackling issues related to housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure. With the CDBG-DR funds, Asheville aims to repair and enhance what the storm disrupted, making strides towards a brighter future for everyone.

Your Chance to Shine!

Each of the six public meetings will kick off with a comprehensive presentation that will explain both the CDBG-DR program and the intricate process for fund allocation as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After the presentation, attendees will have the precious opportunity to share their insights and feedback on what they believe are the community’s most pressing needs.

This is a big deal—your thoughts will be directly considered in crafting the draft of the Action Plan, scheduled for release in March for public comment. The Action Plan will outline how the city intends to spend the allocated funds, and it’s essential that it reflects the voices of the people who call Asheville home.

Mark Your Calendar!

Excited yet? Here’s the lineup of the public meetings where you can tune in and participate:

• February 10, 2025: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Virtual
• February 12, 2025: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at West Asheville Library
• February 18, 2025: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Virtual
• February 19, 2025: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Skyland/South Buncombe Library
• February 24, 2025: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Grant Southside Community Center
• February 26, 2025: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at East Asheville Library

For more details and to register, visit publicinput.com/cdbg-dr. It’s great to see that the city is providing both in-person and virtual options so everyone can participate as per their convenience.

A Call to Action

As public participation is vital to the CDBG-DR process, residents are encouraged to share their experiences and suggestions during these meetings. The feedback collected will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcomes of the draft Action Plan and ensuring that the diverse needs of the community are adequately addressed. Following this, additional public meetings will be organized to further discuss and refine the plan before it gets submitted to HUD for approval in April.

It’s worth noting that the CDBG-DR is different from the regular annual CDBG funds, as it’s not a permanent allocation. These funds arise specifically in response to disasters and require Congressional approval. In North Carolina, HUD has rolled out a total of $1.4 billion for disaster recovery, with Asheville receiving its fair share. This is a golden opportunity to address some of the unmet disaster-related needs that your community faces.

Get Involved and Make a Difference!

So, Asheville, let’s rally together and make sure our voices are loud and clear! The recovery journey from Hurricane Helene needs all hands on deck, and your insights can help steer the resources where they are needed the most. Don’t miss out on this chance to contribute to the future of our community. See you at the meetings!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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Asheville Community Confronts Allegations Against Local Academy
Asheville’s Community Unites for Recovery After Hurricane Helene
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UNC Asheville Sees Enrollment Surge Amid Hurricane Struggles
Asheville Community Reacts to Allegations Against Local Academy

Additional Resources

• Smart Cities Dive: HUD Disaster Resilience Recovery Grants in Asheville
• News Break: Western North Carolina to Receive $1.65B in Federal Disaster Grants
• Trib Papers: The Shocking Truth About Asheville’s Construction Plans After Hurricane Helene
• Wikipedia: Disaster Recovery
• Britannica: Disaster Relief