Summary: We continue to urge the State of North Carolina to declare an immediate eviction moratorium and authorize substantial rental assistance to the thousands of people in Western North Carolina who are struggling in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

The Facts (updated 12/16): The State Senate and House voted to override Governor Cooper’s veto of the most recent “disaster relief” bill (SB382). According to an analysis by Buncombe County, the bill allocates $189,331 for rental assistance, which would be enough to support only 112 households in the County. According to our friends at Just Economics of WNC, over 158,000 households have applied for aid.

Our Assessment: We stand with Just Economics of WNC: “We need a clean disaster relief bill. We need a stop to evictions in WNC as people wait to receive needed assistance. We need an urgent and substantive relief bill that includes more rental assistance, funding for childcare stabilization, and grants to help stabilize WNC’s small businesses. Western North Carolina legislators understand Western North Carolinians’ needs best, so we are asking that the Western North Carolina delegation from both parties come together to draft a real and substantive relief bill for WNC in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Investments in rental assistance, childcare and small businesses will help stabilize WNC’s local economy.”

Things to do: If you haven’t yet signed onto the Just Economics Open Letter to State Leaders, you can do so here. You can also share this GAP Report and call to action with your circles and ask them to sign on as well.

Report Back

GAP Supporter Actions Taken: 45

Recipients and Responses:

WNC Legislators

• Representative Dudley Greene: No response
• Representative Hugh Blackwell: No response
• Representative Destin Hall: No response
• Representative Ray Pickett: No response
• Representative Jake Johnson: No response
• Representative Eric Ager: Responded, see below
• Representative Lindsey Prather: No response
• Representative Caleb Rudow: No response
• Representative Jennifer Balkcom: No response
• Representative Mark Pless: No response
• Representative Mike Clampitt: No response
• Representative Karl Gillespie: No response
• Senator Warren Daniel: No response
• Senator Ralph Hise: No response
• Senator Tim Moffitt: No response
• Senator Julie Mayfield: No response
• Senator Kevin Corbin : No response

Responses

From Rep. Eric Ager:

“Thank you for your heartfelt message regarding the urgent need for a comprehensive disaster relief bill for Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Your concerns resonate deeply with me, and I fully support your call for action.

It is clear that the people of WNC deserve immediate and effective relief measures, including rental assistance, small business grants, and a childcare stabilization plan. The struggles faced by our community are real, and it is vital that we prioritize the needs of our residents over political maneuvering.

I echo your sentiments about sustaining the veto of SB382. Now is the time for our leaders to come together and craft a bill that addresses the pressing challenges we face, rather than allowing unnecessary distractions to detract from the task at hand.

We have the resources necessary to make a difference, and as you pointed out, the state’s rainy day fund is more than adequate to support the recovery efforts our community desperately needs.

I stand with you in advocating for true relief for WNC and will do my part to push for meaningful action that helps our neighbors rebuild and recover. Together, we can make a significant impact during this critical time.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to this cause.

All the best,

Representative Eric Ager”