STEP - Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power

THE DEADLINE TO RETURN THE RIGHT OF ENTRY FORM HAS PASSED.

PARTIAL REPAIRS TO GET YOU BACK HOME

STEP provides basic, partial repairs to make homes safe, clean and secure to help North Carolina homeowners with minor damage from Hurricane Florence get back in their home quickly.

  • Rapid, partial repairs are completed to make the home safe, clean and secure, so the homeowner and family can live at home while longer-term repairs continue.
  • Living at home while additional repairs continue means people can return to work and school in their communities.
  • STEP will not make complete repairs to your home, but will allow you to continue sheltering at home..
STEP repaired room Step repaired sink and counter STEP repaired bathroom

Login to complete STEP Right of Entry form        STEP flyers - English/Espanol

    Who is eligible?

    • FEMA has identified 15,784 homeowners as candidates for the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program (STEP).
    • Eligible homeowners in the following counties may be able to participate in STEP: Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Robeson.
    • You must live in a single family, owner occupied property and you should be ready to return to your community and shelter in your home, after partial repairs.
    • Completed STEP repairs will end your eligibility for FEMA Direct Housing in a trailer or mobile home and for Transitional Housing Assistance in a hotel.

    Should I participate in STEP?

    • Many residents in shelters and hotels are ready to go home and return to their communities.  This may not be possible if their home is not safe, secure and sanitary yet.  If you are ready to leave the shelter, hotel room and go home, the STEP program could be what you are waiting for.
    • Remember that STEP provides only partial repairs necessary to make your home safe and sanitary, and ready for further repairs.  But it does allow you to get back into your home and community so you can begin the task of rebuilding.
    STEP repaired bathroom STEP repaired kitchen STEP repaired flooring

    FIVE STEPS TO NORTH CAROLINA STEP PROGRAM

    1. A program staff member will contact you if you are eligible for STEP repairs to your home. The representative will explain the partial repair program.
    2. If you agree to participate, an inspector will visit your home. You must sign a Right of Entry form allowing the inspector and builder to enter your home. They will assess the damage to your home and confirm eligibility. If you are confirmed eligible, they will take photos and develop a repair plan.
    3. Depending on the extent of your damage, your repairs will be assigned to either a voluntary disaster relief group or a contractor.
    4. Repairs will be scheduled and work will begin.
    5. When repairs are complete, a final site visit will occur. You will meet with the inspector and builder and review the repairs to your home. The inspector will ensure that temporary repairs are complete and meet all standards. Photos will record the completed work.