Rev. G.E. Parker: Helene Recovery Demands More Than Public Dollars

North Carolina received $1.4 billion in federal funding for Hurricane Helene recovery. More than half was designated for single‑family housing. A year and a half later, only 30 single‑family homes have been completed through HUD‑supported programs—a pace that clearly falls short of the need in Western North Carolina. 

Yet the scale of the challenge demands greater urgency. Public investment is an important first step, but government funding alone will not rebuild communities at the speed or scale required. To truly restore housing stock and stabilize the region, policymakers should partner with housing providers that are ready to help close the gap and increase supply. 

Rental housing providers play a critical role in recovery and growth. They restore damaged homes, build new housing from the ground up, and expand access to neighborhoods many families otherwise couldn’t afford. As Western North Carolina continues to recover from Helene, this housing moment remains unresolved. Welcoming experienced housing partners instead of sidelining them will be essential to rebuilding stronger, faster, and more affordably.

Rev. G.E. Parker, President of the N.C. Faith Fellowship Foundation