The Trump administration recently denied a funding request from the city of Asheville, North Carolina, to help its recovery from Hurricane Helene, telling the city it must cut a program meant to aid female and minority contractors.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner stated that the draft action plan for the $225 million disaster recovery funds would not be approved in it's current form.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rejected Hurricane Helene repair efforts in Asheville, N.C., because the city’s proposed recovery plan features a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program that conflicts with President Trump’s January executive order.

Asheville has to revise its plan that would prioritize assistance for minority and women-owned businesses as part of a post-Helene Small Business Support program, Trump official says.