Columbia, South Carolina, August 5, 2025
News Summary
The South Carolina Office of Resilience has announced a funding allocation of over $150 million for long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. This initiative, part of the federal CDBG-DR program, aims to address the estimated $2.1 billion in unmet recovery needs, focusing on housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization in the affected counties. Additional funds will be directed towards mitigation efforts to enhance resilience against future disasters.
Columbia, South Carolina Allocates Over $150 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery and Mitigation Efforts
The South Carolina Office of Resilience has announced plans to allocate more than $150 million in federal funding for long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. This funding comes as part of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, as approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in January 2025.
The approved funding aims to assist the significant unmet recovery needs within South Carolina, estimated at approximately $2.1 billion, which encompasses housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization initiatives. The chief resilience officer highlighted the critical nature of this approval for providing disaster recovery assistance to communities dramatically affected by the hurricane.
Funding Distribution and Application Process
Of the total funding, various activities related to housing are outlined in the approved action plan. These activities include:
- Single-family home rehabilitation
- Replacement and reconstruction projects
- Rental housing rehabilitation
- Voluntary buyouts
This housing recovery program will be accessible to low-to-moderate income homeowners (earning 30% or less of the area median income) and rental property owners impacted by Hurricane Helene. The application process for this program is set to open by the end of September 2025 for residents in 15 eligible counties, which include:
- Aiken
- Anderson
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Laurens
- Spartanburg
- Abbeville
- Cherokee
- Edgefield
- McCormick
- Oconee
- Orangeburg
- Pickens
- Saluda
- Union
Mitigation Initiatives
In addition to housing recovery, nearly $19.6 million of the funding will be dedicated to various mitigation programs aimed at enhancing resilience and reducing future disaster impacts. Key components of the mitigation activities include:
- Stormwater infrastructure projects
- Voluntary buyouts
- Plans and studies
- Matching funds for other federal mitigation grants
Eligible applicants for the mitigation funding comprise local governments and state agencies situated within the specified counties. The applications for this mitigation program are expected to open in the fall of 2025. The South Carolina Office of Resilience plans to engage with local governments in the qualifying areas prior to the application openings in order to streamline the process.
Additional Information
For further resources and details regarding the recovery and mitigation programs, residents and interested parties can visit the official website at scor.sc.gov/Helene.
Background on Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene posed significant challenges to South Carolina, leading to widespread devastation and highlighting the need for robust recovery and mitigation frameworks. As the state continues to address the repercussions of this natural disaster, the allocation of federal funding marks a crucial step towards rebuilding and enhancing community resilience against future threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the total funds allocated for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts?
More than $150 million has been allocated for long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
When will the housing recovery program open for applications?
The housing recovery program is expected to open for applications by the end of September 2025.
Who is eligible for the housing recovery funding?
Eligible recipients include low-to-moderate income homeowners and rental property owners impacted by Hurricane Helene.
What counties are eligible for recovery funding?
The eligible counties include Aiken, Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Spartanburg, Abbeville, Cherokee, Edgefield, McCormick, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Saluda, and Union.
What types of mitigation activities are planned?
Mitigation activities include stormwater infrastructure projects, voluntary buyouts, plans and studies, and matching funds for other federal mitigation grants.
When will the mitigation program application open?
Application openings for the mitigation program are expected in the fall of 2025.
Key Features of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Mitigation Efforts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Funding | $150 million+ |
| Estimated Unmet Needs | $2.1 billion |
| Housing Recovery Activities | Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Rental Housing Rehab, Voluntary Buyouts |
| Mitigation Funding | $19.6 million |
| Mitigation Activities | Stormwater Projects, Voluntary Buyouts, Plans and Studies |
| Application Openings | Fall 2025 for Mitigation, September 2025 for Housing |
| Eligible Counties | Aiken, Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Spartanburg, Abbeville, Cherokee, Edgefield, McCormick, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Saluda, Union |
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Journal: $150M in Federal Funding for SC Hurricane Helene Recovery Plan
- WRDW: Federal Funds Approved for Helene Aid in South Carolina
- Fox Weather: Hurricane Helene Updates
- WLTX: HUD South Carolina Disaster Recovery Plan for Hurricane Helene
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
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