Amendment improves temporary housing for New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Many people in the Cape Fear devastated by Hurricane Florence still need temporary housing. And now that process is becoming easier for residents of New Hanover County.

Getting these temporary housing units, commonly referred to as FEMA trailers, can involve a lot of so-called red tape.

New Hanover County Commission Chair Woody White says an amendment passed Thursday afternoon will eliminate that.

The county says the amendment provides clarity on temporary housing options and parameters, and would be enabled by a federal disaster declaration, or by the county manager.

It would permit the housing units on a site for 12 months or longer if authorized by the Board of Commissioners.

Units must be removed within 30 days after rehabilitation to the permanent home is completed.

Commissioner White says as apartment complexes keep evicting people due to storm damage, more people are in need of temporary housing, and getting that housing would be a much more difficult process without this amendment.

“It would’ve been just the ultimate red tape bureaucracy of someone trying to have to ask for special permission or a variance or something along those lines. this was just a clean-cut, let’s get it out of the way, let’s get this temporary housing ordinance amendment passed, let’s let FEMA do their job, and let’s these people into housing as quickly as possible, that’s what this was all about,” said Commissioner White.

The amendment passed with unanimous support from the board.

White says this amendment does not only affect temporary housing for those impacted by Hurricane Florence, but also those impacted by any future disaster in the county.