Lawmakers, families question why hurricane relief is taking so long

RALEIGH, N.C. — State lawmakers on Wednesday grilled the leaders of the state’s disaster recovery program about why residents who suffered hurricane damage are still waiting for relief.

The last time the disaster recovery oversight committee met in September, lawmakers told leaders of the state program, Rebuild NC, that they wanted all families back in their homes by this month. Out of the 100 families who’ve waited the longest, 18 have been able to return home, and 11 more should by Christmas.

And Rebuild NC still has thousands of applications for help in progress.

Rebuild NC director Laura Hogshead said the agency has taken over case management from a subcontractor, and that has sped up the process considerably. She said they’re making good progress.

Sen. Brent Jackson said it’s not enough.

“There has got to be some improvement made in this program – immediately – or I’ll use my power to redirect the funds to someone that can get the job done,” he said Wednesday, to applause from some of the families who were present for the hearing.

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ReBuild NC oversees $800 million in taxpayer dollars meant to get residents back into a safe place to live, but missteps and delays have plagued the state agency for years.

“The story is that Rebuild, North Carolina has bungled this program and left thousands of people homeless who are hurricane survivors,” said Lisa Sorg with NC Policy Watch. “These residents have already had sustained incredible trauma and no one is helping them.”