Brian and Susie Hill bought a historic house in Yancey County, North Carolina, with dreams of a permanent home. Hurricane Helene in September 2024 devastated their property, leaving it uninhabitable. The Hills received nearly $40,000 in federal aid from FEMA but it was insufficient for complete rebuilding. ProPublica and The Assembly analyzed FEMA data in the hardest-hit North Carolina counties. They discovered income disparities in housing assistance distribution, contrary to FEMA's stated policy. In rural counties, higher-income households received significantly more aid than lower-income ones. This pattern contrasted with urban Buncombe County, where lower-income residents often received more aid. Rural residents face numerous barriers when seeking disaster relief, including limited access to technology and transportation. The Hills have been living in a trailer while working tirelessly to restore their home. Their experience highlights the challenges many families face in rebuilding after disasters, with some potentially never recovering.