Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity is expanding its services to meet the needs of residents in New Hanover, Pender and Duplin counties who were affected by Hurricane Florence. 

According to a recent news release, two new initiatives will provide long-term housing solutions for eligible families with household incomes that are up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income who either need to rebuild and repair their current homes or who lost their housing and need a new home.

The Cape Fear Habitat Disaster REBUILD Program will make repairs for qualified families that own homes that were critically damaged as a result of the storm, the release stated. The homes must be 1,500 square feet or less and located in New Hanover, Pender or Duplin.

The median household income in New Hanover is $51,232, according to the U.S. Census. It's $46,580 in Pender and $35,364 in Duplin.

The release stated that the agency will also build new homes for qualified families whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Florence.  A modified homeownership program is available to rehouse displaced families quickly.

To participate, families must qualify based on need; ability to pay their mortgage; a willingness to partner with Habitat; and residency in New Hanover, Pender or Duplin.

For more information or to apply for these programs, visit the organization's website.

Pender County residents should contact Judith Herring, Pender County Housing, at [email protected], or call 259-1208 for assistance in completing an application.