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Living in limbo: Thousands of WNC Helene survivors face years of transient living

BPR News spent time with four families who lost their homes in Helene and are now navigating the complexity of FEMA aid, rental options, and more. Here are their stories.

Hurricane Helene damaged an estimated 126,000 homes in Western North Carolina, leaving close to 12,000 people without a stable place to live. Nearly four months later, many are living day-by-day with no permanent housing solution in sight. 

Thousands have been staying indefinitely in hotel rooms paid for by FEMA while others rely on donations and temporary RVs as they figure out a path forward. For those choosing to rebuild their house through the hazard mitigation program, it could take up to four years. 

BPR's Gerard Albert III and Laura Hackett spent time with four families to help tell the story of Helene’s aftermath, specifically focusing on the transient future many residents face in the year to come. Here are their stories.

After building the house her family always wanted, Lucretia Richards had it severely damaged during the storm.
Theresa Sanchez and her pets have spent months away from her family home.
Peggy Hairston is one of thousands who have used FEMA vouchers to stay housed after Hurricane Helene.
Covenant Community Church has converted several acres worth of land into a “community village” for eight families living in RVs.