FEMA's Housing Help Falls Short: Unequal Access for North Carolina Residents After Hurricane Helene

Arduous and Unequal: The Fight to Get FEMA Housing Assistance After Helene In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands of North Carolina residents turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for housing assistance. However, an analysis by ProPublica and The Assembly reveals a stark reality: households with higher incomes received significantly more aid than those with lower incomes. Wealthier Homeowners Receive More Aid According to data obtained through public records requests, in some of the hardest-hit counties, homeowners with the highest incomes received two to three times as much FEMA housing assistance as their lower-income counterparts. This disparity has left many struggling families without adequate support. "We were shocked when we saw how much more aid our wealthier neighbors received," said Susie Hill, a resident of one such county. "It's not fair that those who need it most are being left behind." Red Tape and Staff Cuts FEMA's housing assistance program has been plagued by red tape and bureaucratic delays, leaving many applicants frustrated and disillusioned. Under the Trump administration, FEMA lost hundreds of workers, further exacerbating the problem. "FEMA's staffing levels have been severely depleted, making it even more difficult for people to get the help they need," said Brian Hill, Susie's husband. "It's a perfect storm of inefficiency and inequality." Background and Context Hurricane Helene made landfall in North Carolina in 2024, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The storm's impact was felt most acutely in rural areas, where many residents lacked access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. FEMA's housing assistance program is designed to provide financial support to homeowners who have suffered damage or loss due to natural disasters. However, the agency's application process has been criticized for being overly complex and time-consuming. Additional Perspectives Experts point out that FEMA's aid distribution system is inherently flawed, favoring those with greater resources and social connections. "FEMA's policies are often based on outdated assumptions about who needs help most," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a disaster relief expert. "It's time for the agency to rethink its approach and prioritize equity and fairness." Current Status and Next Developments As of September 2025, many applicants are still waiting for their aid to be approved or denied. FEMA officials have promised to address the issue, but critics remain skeptical. "FEMA needs to take immediate action to rectify this situation," said Susie Hill. "We can't afford to wait any longer for justice and fairness." In response to ProPublica's investigation, FEMA has announced plans to review its aid distribution policies and implement changes to ensure greater equity and transparency. However, many questions remain unanswered, and the fight for fair housing assistance continues. This article is a collaborative effort between ProPublica and The Assembly, two nonprofit news organizations dedicated to investigative journalism and public service. *Reporting by Propublica.*