The delegation will hold meetings with HUD officials and with acting FEMA Administrator Karen Evans at FEMA headquarters to press for expedited funding.

Mayor Manheimer emphasizes that the target funding runs into the billions and highlights CDBG-DR as more flexible than FEMA programs, prioritizing housing in the recovery plan.

She recalls an initial relief allocation of $225 million and describes the effort as beating a door to obtain funds, underscoring ongoing bottlenecks under the current administration.

The delegation plans meetings with NC’s House delegation, Senators Tillis and Budd, and the new FEMA administrator, alongside a visit to HUD to discuss CDBG-DR funding for recovery.

They will urge additional federal recovery funding from NC senators and the House delegation, including Congressman Chuck Edwards, as part of the push for Helene relief.

Asheville has already received $225 million in HUD-backed Disaster Relief Funding (CDBG-DR) to support its Helene recovery.

The Asheville recovery mission in Washington aims to secure billions of federal funds to support ongoing Helene recovery efforts, with a focus on leveraging HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for greater flexibility and housing as the top priority.

Mayor Manheimer expresses gratitude for past state and federal funding while stressing the need for continued support to fully restore Asheville.

Mayor Esther Manheimer and NC State Senator Kevin Corbin join Governor Josh Stein on a Washington, D.C. trip aimed at securing more federal Helene recovery funds and expediting previously approved funding.

The trip, dated to mid-January, underscores a coordinated effort by Asheville and state leaders to push for federal Helene funding and to accelerate Congress-approved relief from late 2024.

Even with recent allocations, including an extra $7.5 million for Asheville, disbursement remains slow due to bureaucratic bottlenecks and spending-approval rules, delaying reimbursements in western North Carolina.

Manheimer notes persistent recovery needs in western North Carolina, including riverfront damage, unrepaired roads and bridges, and sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, signaling a long rebuild ahead.