In response to the need for temporary and long-term housing after Tropical Storm Irene, we've added a new feature to the Vermont Housing Data website to help residents quickly view on-line lists of apartments for rent across the state. The new "portal", accessible directly from the housing data site's home page, provides links to lists of vacancies from:
Disaster recovery
FEMA Public Assistance applicant briefings begin today
The Vermont Agency of Transportation will be holding applicant briefings for Vermont communities in counties granted a Public Assistance disaster declaration following floods from Tropical Storm Irene. All Vermont counties received this declaration, with the exception of Grand Isle County.
Five FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers now open across the state
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened five disaster recovery centers across the state. Centers are located in Killington, Dover, Barre, Brattleboro, and Waterbury. More locations are expected to open soon.
These centers will help Vermonters identify benefits, grants, and low-interest loans that are available to help families recover from the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
Donate to Brattleboro Housing Authority fund for residents affected by Irene
In addition to damaging their office building, Tropical Storm Irene devastated elderly housing run by the Brattleboro Housing Authority (BHA). The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition is reporting that BHA had damage in 70 of the 80 apartments at Melrose Senior Housing and have had to put up many seniors in temporary housing in motels.
Governor Shumlin lists steps for owners of Irene-damaged homes
The governor held a press conference in Moretown, Vermont yesterday to meet with residents, survey damage from Tropical Storm Irene and outline the various federal and state programs designed to help them get properties repaired and rebuilt. Read the governor's press release and list of resources for homeowners.
HUD announces disaster assistance for Vermont storm victims
On Friday, September 2nd, US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced several ways the agency will be speeding federal disaster assistance to Vermont and providing support for displaced owners and renters.
The notice announces that HUD is:
Eight counties now eligible for FEMA individual assistance
Over the weekend, four more counties were added to the list of those eligible for FEMA individual assistance to help recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene. Residents of Addison, Bennington, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties can now register for FEMA assistance online or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. At the time of this posting, FEMA had approved 334 applications from Vermont households. For more information on storm-related information for VHFA home owners, multifamily properties, and others, see VHFA's post on September 2.
FEMA adds Windham to list of counties eligible for individual assistance
Windham County was added to the list of Vermont counties designated as eligible for individual assistance from FEMA. This means that individual residents of Chittenden, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties may apply directly to FEMA for assistance recovering from damage from Tropical Storm Irene.
Residents in these counties who were impacted by Irene can now register for FEMA assistance online or by phone 1-800-621-3362. More counties may be added to the list as the damage assessment progresses.
Storm-related information for VHFA mortgage holders, multifamily properties, and others
The flooding and damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene has been immense. Below is a comprehensive list of resources available from various agencies as will as how to proceed if your home or housing property has been impacted: