Gerard Albert III
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Gerard Albert III
Western North Carolina Rural Communities Reporter
Email
: galbert@bpr.org
Phone
: 865-332-9439
Gerard Albert III covers ongoing recovery efforts of Hurricane Helene at the local, state and federal level. He is working with the FRONTLINE PBS Local Journalism Initiative on a year-long reporting project about storm recovery.
If you are using a state program to repair or rebuild your home or waiting on a buyout from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program, he'd like to hear your experience. Please
fill out this form
or contact Albert directly.
He came to BPR two months before the storm as a Report for America corps member covering rural communities throughout western North Carolina.
Prior to BPR, Albert worked at WLRN – South Florida’s NPR station – for two years. He reported on affordable housing policy, local government accountability and the death penalty trial of the Parkland school shooter. He also covered the history of the Black community and criminal justice system in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
He earned a journalism degree from Florida International University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper.
Helene Recovery
FEMA works to clear “backlog” of reimbursements for NC, releases $260 million
Gerard Albert III
The money is part of a massive backlog of funds that were held up by a policy implemented by former-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Helene Recovery
In Asheville, more than 100 homeowners are waitlisted for a Helene home repair program. The money may never come.
Gerard Albert III, Laura Hackett
Asheville set aside just $3 million for Helene home repair, mistakenly believing the state would help cover construction. This leaves hundreds of homeowners waiting for answers.
Helene Recovery
HUD gave Asheville $225M for Helene repair. Why is there only enough money to fix 8 houses?
Gerard Albert III, Laura Hackett
The state is putting $800 million towards home repair, but due to a city policy decision, Asheville has to pay its own way.
Helene Recovery
FEMA approves ‘severely stalled’ home buyouts for Helene survivors, despite funding freeze
Gerard Albert III
The announcement comes a day before newly-confirmed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is scheduled to visit the area.
Helene Recovery
Lack of temporary housing funds for Helene survivors is delaying repairs in WNC
Gerard Albert III
The program already lacks enough funding to help all eligible applicants. Money for temporary housing is causing further delays.
Helene Recovery
Gov. Stein asks state lawmakers for another $792 million in Helene funding as federal money stalls
Gerard Albert III
If the request is fully funded, state lawmakers will have spent more than $3 billion on storm recovery.
Helene Recovery
New head of DHS says he will end the Noem policy responsible for funding delays
Gerard Albert III
Newly-confirmed DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin told senators the policy was “micromanaging.”
Helene Recovery
FEMA extends housing, rental assistance for Helene survivors
Gerard Albert III
More than 150 households were waiting on the extension, which came two weeks before the program was slated to end.
Helene Recovery
Home repairs in WNC ‘not a funding problem’ HUD says, despite state request for billions more
Gerard Albert III
The leaders of both HUD-funded housing repair programs in western North Carolina told BPR there is not enough money to serve all applicants.
Helene Recovery
New DHS head needs to act with "greater urgency” than Noem about FEMA funds, NC delegation says
Gerard Albert III
It is still unclear whether Markwayne Mullin will continue Kristi Noem’s policies. He still needs to be confirmed by the Senate before taking over DHS.