Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced on Tuesday that $7.3 million in federal funds will be disbursed across Giles and Washington counties and the town of Fries in Grayson County to rebuild and repair housing and infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene-related weather.
Giles and Washington counties will each receive $3.5 million for the repair, rehabilitation, reconstruction and replacement of disaster-damaged homes for low- and moderate-income households. The town of Fries will receive $322,712 for the installation of a generator at its water treatment facility to avoid water service outages during future disasters.
“Tropical Storm Helene delivered historic and devastating impacts to Southwest Virginia — washing out roads, damaging homes, and overwhelming local infrastructure in ways that no community could — or should have to — shoulder alone,” Spanberger said in a statement.
“As Virginians continue rebuilding their lives, these disaster relief grants will help provide families and localities with the long-term support they need to fully recover. I am committed to supporting these communities, restoring what was lost, and building resilience so that when future storms come, Virginia is better prepared.”
The remnants of Hurricane Helene swept through Southwest Virginia in late September 2024. The storm brought heavy winds and dumped 4 to 10 inches of rain, or more, over three days and left widespread flooding in its wake.
The commonwealth received the funds near the end of 2025 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief program. The governor’s office said that the length of time it took to set up the state grant program — between late 2025, when the money was received, and July 2026, when the program was announced — is typical when dealing with federal money.
The program aims to assist communities as they recover from Hurricane Helene-related weather and to mitigate risks from future hazards. Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development will administer the state grant program.
“This funding plays a critical role in filling the gaps that remain long after the immediate crisis has passed,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery said in a statement. “These coordinated and deployed investments ensure the households that are often the hardest hit and the last to recover receive the assistance they need.”
She added that mitigation requirements tied to the funding will also address long-standing vulnerabilities and reduce future risk.
DHCD Director Tamarah Holmes said in a statement that her department is “committed to ensuring these dollars are delivered efficiently, transparently, and equitably so communities can rebuild safer, stronger, and with greater resilience.”
“We look forward to working closely with local partners in Giles County, Washington County, the town of Fries and other eligible localities as they move forward in their long-term recovery,” she said.
Recipients of the grant money in Giles and Washington counties fall into three categories: those seeking minor repairs to Hurricane Helene-related damage on a home, those seeking rehabilitation of a home, and those seeking substantial reconstruction or new construction of a home.
Recipients can receive up to $25,000 for minor repairs including mold remediation, roof repair or replacement, replacement of windows and doors, mechanical, electrical or plumbing repairs, or other work to stabilize the home and address health, safety or weatherproofing needs. Up to $125,000 can be received for comprehensive repair and rehabilitation of a home damaged by Hurricane Helene, and up to $150,000 can be received for reconstruction of a home damaged by the storm.
Residents seeking assistance will need to complete an application and provide home ownership and damage documentation. Eligible applicants include homeowners, or a landlord of a rental property that can show that the dwelling sustained damage from Hurricane Helene-related weather.
Applicants must also be below the low- and moderate-income threshold for their locality. That threshold is typically 80% of the area median household income. In Giles County, that threshold would be roughly $52,552 and in Washington County, the threshold would be roughly $51,641.
