FEMA officials have determined that there are enough vacant housing opportunities in the state for residents displaced by Tropical Storm Irene. This means that the use of FEMA standard temporary housing units will not be needed in Vermont. Read more in today's Burlington Free Press.
Disaster recovery
VHFA staff make care packages with care
VHFA-ers spent time together this afternoon assembling household items and gift cards into gift baskets for five families whose homes were damaged by Tropical Storm Irene.
All of the families are residents of Stockbridge, Vermont--a town particularly hard-hit by the storm and ensuing flood waters.
FEMA and SBA deadlines for Irene recovery assistance near
Individual homeowners, renters, businesses, or others who suffered losses as a result of flooding at the end of August are eligible for assistance to repair homes or to recover other losses. Even if the damage is minor, or if you are unsure whether damage will be covered by federal grants, individuals should apply ASAP. The deadline for applying for both FEMA and SBA assistance is November 15, 2011.
Post-Irene mobile home forum in Barre tonight
A forum will be held tonight, Wednesday October 19, 2011, at 6PM by the Mobile Home Residents for Equality and Fairness (MHREF). MHREF is a new resident organization of Vermonters displaced by Irene, who have witnessed first-hand the acute affordable housing crisis, and unique challenges in removing their destroyed homes in order to rebuild, relocate, and recover before impending winter.
The meeting will be held at Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite Street, Barre, Vermont.
Task force on Irene legal issues appointed
Tropical Storm Irene damaged or destroyed public records, changed the course of rivers and streams and sprouted an unexpected thicket of legal issues that will have to be solved by the Legislature.
In an effort to identify some of those issues and propose solutions, Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell announced Tuesday that he has appointed the executive director of the Vermont Bar Association, Bob Paolini, to lead a task force that will have proposals ready for lawmakers when they return to Montpelier in January, the Associated Press reported yesterday.
SBA help for Vermont homeowners and renters with Irene storm damage
Storm recovery assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is not just for businesses. Vermont homeowners and renters recovering from damage from Tropical Storm Irene may also be eligible for significant SBA assistance in the form of grants and flexible low-interest loans.
Interested residents need to contact FEMA first and then SBA. Applicants in need of assistance filling out SBA application forms should specifically ask SBA for customer assistance.
State leaders share critical information and witness storm damage first-hand
Vermont’s legislative and housing program leaders toured the Irene-devastated neighborhoods of Waterbury yesterday and met with FEMA and SBA officials to examine progress and exchange information about the experiences of agencies trying to help.
Read more at VTDigger.org.
Protect yourself when hiring help with storm damage
The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living warns Vermonters recovering from Tropical Storm Irene to be "Vermont Smart" and protect themselves against fraud when hiring contractors:
Not Everyone Really Wants to Help
FOLLOW THESE STEPS BEFORE YOU HIRE SOMEONE TO CLEAR OR REPAIR YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY
TV segment urges Vermonters to register with FEMA
Last week (10/5), the Vermont Housing & Communities Show on CCTV Channel 17’s Live at 5:25 segment featured Jen Hollar of the Vermont DEHCD and was hosted by Mike McNamara of HUD's Vermont office. They were joined by Deanna Frazier from FEMA and Carl Sherrill of the SBA. The guests discussed actions taken to date by FEMA and the Irene Housing Task Force, short and long-term housing options, and where and how Vermonters can register for assistance.
Types of assistance available for Vermonters with storm damage
Vermont residents should apply for assistance to help recover from damage inflicted by Tropical Storm Irene as soon as possible. Some types of assistance have fixed deadlines that are fast approaching while others will simply be available on a first come first serve basis.
1. FEMA
Individuals, municipalities, non-profit organizations and small businesses suffering damage from Irene should contact FEMA as soon as possible. You must register with FEMA no matter what you believe the extent of your personal damage is. With flooding, problems like mold can appear years later and be very detrimental for homes.