By Elijah Skipper
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A longtime Asheville homeowner is finally back home nearly two years after Helene.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein joined Renew NC on July 15 to hand Velma Chapman the keys to her newly rebuilt house.
Chapman said Helene’s wind and rain damaged her home when the storm hit on Sept. 27, 2024. She applied for help after insurance would not cover the repairs she needed, she said.
Renew NC later determined the home should be replaced.
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Along with Stein, members of Renew NC, lawmakers and other neighbors, Chapman happily walked inside her new house.
“I’m just overjoyed…overjoyed…elated. I’m ready to get started and moving in,” Chapman said.
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said during the event that for some people, their home might be their only asset.
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“It might be their retirement plan. So I think it’s really important to help stabilize a community to address losses like this,” she said.
Stein said although it’s getting close to two years since Helene hit, the recovery process will be ongoing for years to come. He said the state’s new budget includes about $700 million for Helene recovery and that the work wasn’t done.