Friday Feb. 1 is the Deadline to Participate in STEP for Hurricane Florence Home Repairs | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

Program Makes Free Partial Repairs to Eligible Homes in 12 Counties

    RALEIGH: North Carolinians who are eligible for a special program to provide rapid repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Florence must take action by Friday, February 1, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper urged today. That's the date and time by which homeowners need to complete a Right of Entry Form (ROE) to participate in North Carolina's Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program. The program provides partial repairs at no cost to homeowners so Hurricane Florence survivors can return to and remain in their homes while longer-term repairs continue.

    "People forced out by Hurricane Florence are eager to get back home and the STEP program gives them the opportunity to live there as they work to rebuild their lives," said Gov. Cooper. "I urge homeowners eligible for this innovative program to sign up today."

    About the STEP Program

    The STEP program provides rapid, partial repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Florence to make them livable so that survivors can leave temporary housing and return home. The STEP program does not return a home to its pre-storm condition, but it does make it possible for families to live safely at home while long-term repairs take place.

    The program is available in Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Robeson counties.

    To participate in the STEP program, eligible homeowners must sign a Right of Entry (ROE) form by February 1, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

    So far, approximately 50 homes have been repaired or are under repair through the STEP program. Work is set to begin soon on hundreds more homes whose owners have already agreed to participate in the program. More than 2,000 homeowners have completed ROE forms and are under consideration for the program.

    More information about the STEP program is available at www.ncdps.gov/florencestep. Eligible homeowners may also visit the application portal at www.ncstepflorence.com or call (833) 257-1100 Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

    STEP program representatives will be available Monday through Friday this week from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. in three state disaster recovery centers to assist potential participants with questions, verify eligibility and assist in filling our ROE forms. Those locations are:

• Craven County - 2825 Neuse Blvd, New Bern
• New Hanover County - Old Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Dr., Wilmington
• Robeson County - Department of Social Services, 120 Glen Cowan Rd., Lumberton

    How the STEP Program Works

    Potentially eligible storm survivors have been contacted by telephone, text message and postcard to encourage them to participate in the STEP program. Homeowners were selected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on data gathered from survivors who registered with FEMA.

    Once a homeowner completes the Right of Entry form, an inspector will visit the home to assess the damage. For homes confirmed eligible for STEP, the inspector will develop a repair plan. Depending on the level of damage, the repairs will be made by either a volunteer disaster relief group (NC Baptists on Mission or United Methodist Committee on Relief) or a professional contractor managed by the state.

    Depending on the amount of damage done to the home, repairs may be completed by professional contractors or by volunteer groups including Baptists on Mission and the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

    Among the kinds of repairs made through the STEP program:

• Exterior repairs include secure and watertight doors, windows and roof, and safe entrances.
• The home's electrical and plumbing systems will be made safe and operational.
• Interior repairs include a functional kitchen - including a base cabinet under the sink, a surface to prepare food, basic refrigeration and cooking surfaces, a working sink - and a functional, private bathroom.
• The cost of the STEP program is being shared by the State of North Carolina and FEMA. There is no cost to homeowners to participate in the voluntary STEP program.

    For survivors who choose to participate in the STEP program, completion of STEP repairs will end their eligibility for a FEMA travel trailer or mobile home and for Transitional Sheltering Assistance to stay in a hotel.

• Contact: Ford Porter
•     govpress@nc.gov