North Carolina hurricane recovery stops new building projects amidst budget woes [Video]

RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – The North Carolina agency responsible for helping residents rebuild after hurricanes has ordered contractors to stop building new houses for people left homeless by Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence.

The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency told contractors it would not approve the construction of new homes starting Dec. 11, according to emails and recordings obtained by WBTV.

More than 635 families who lost homes in the 2016 and 2018 storms were waiting on approval to move forward with construction to rebuild their home, according to an NCORR presentation to lawmakers last month.

But in a call last week, NCORR told contractors it would stop issuing that approval — known as a notice to proceed — for new projects effective December 11.

The move comes after NCORR officials revealed to lawmakers in mid-November the agency had a budget shortfall of at least $175 million.

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