House OKs $100M disaster relief bill

House lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that lays out the state's next installment of relief funding for Hurricane Matthew, the western wildfires and other recent disasters.

Posted 2:35 p.m. Jun 28, 2017 — Updated 7:22 p.m. Jun 28, 2017

Travis Fain

RALEIGH, N.C. — House lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that lays out the state's next installment of relief funding for Hurricane Matthew, the western wildfires and other recent disasters.

Senate Bill 338 contains $100 million that will be divided as follows:

$20 million for housing, split between eight agencies
$5 million for the Lumber River Council of Government, meant to develop and build low-income multi-family housing in Fair Bluff
$30 million for Golden LEAF, a Rocky Mount foundation that will provide grants to local governments and nonprofits in response to Matthew, the wildfires and Tropical Storms Julia and Hermine
$20 million for the stream debris removal and farm road repairs, as well as pond and dam repairs. Up to $1 million of this can be used for drought relief, the bill states.
$2.7 million for the community college system to shore up finances for campuses that had to close during or after Matthew
$22.3 million to match federal disaster assistance fund

The bill was characterized as another step in disaster relief, with more funding likely in the future. The state approved $200 million in disaster funds late last year.

The Senate must give final approval to the latest round of funding before it can go to Gov. Roy Cooper.

Suggest A Correction