First Robeson County home repaired with Community Block Grant

ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WPDE) — There’s money and hope for people in Robeson County whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

Repairs have started on a home in Lumberton thanks to a $2.3 million Community Block Grant Disaster Recovery Housing Program.

“For a while I didn’t think I was going to get any help… Just little old me gonna be left out,” Benjamin Phillips, grew up in his Lumberton home and was there when Matthew hit almost two years ago, said.

Phillips almost lost hope when Hurricane Matthew tore through.

“We got hit by over 100 mph winds and we got 20 something inches of rain,” Phillips said.

While the home is standing, there is damage inside like mold, peeling and water damaged walls, and cracks in the walls. Phillips said when it rains water still gets in the house.

“There are foundation issues, you can see a crack into the wall here,” Phillips said.

There is mold in multiple rooms in his home and he said he’s worried about his long term health.

“[It] is a serious issue,” Phillips said.

Help is here for Phillips.

A construction crew with Rescue Construction Solutions started working Friday and they were there all day Saturday fixing the roof.

Phillips’ home is the first to be repaired with CBG money.

“It’s for low to moderate income families, individuals, that had damage to Hurricane Matthew that might not have got assistance through other programs,” PIO Robeson County Administration Emily Jones said.

“The progress can be slow, but we’re so excited that now we’re seeing things happen,” Jones said.

As for Phillips, he said there’s nothing better than the sound of construction.

“It’s a great feeling, best feeling you’ve ever had in your life,” Phillips said.

The contractors plan to have the roof finished by Monday.

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