Still have damage from Irma? You might qualify for repair program
A new program funded by the federal government and administered by the state will make $616 million
Homeowners who can’t afford to fix damage caused by Hurricane Irma last year are encouraged to register for a share of $616 million in grant funding.
Priority will be given to applicants 62 and older; families with children younger than 5; individuals with disabilities; households earning less than or equal to 80 percent of the federally defined “area median income;” and owners who are renting homes to former residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The funding, secured through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be allocated through the state Department of Economic Opportunity’s Rebuild Florida program, which is opening nine centers around the state this week to accept registrations.
Two of the centers in South Florida: are opening
2680 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale — opens at 11 a.m. Thursday Sept. 27. 7980 NW 27th currently open. St., Miami
The first center opened Monday at 2796 Overseas Highway, Marathon, in the Florida Keys, which took a heavy blow from Irma. Other centers are opening in Brevard, Collier, Lee, Polk, Orange, and Duval counties, said Erin Gillespie, deputy chief of staff at the Department of Economic Opportunity. All of the centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Gillespie said.
Registration can be completed online at floridajobs.org/ rebuildflorida/housingrepair or at one of the help centers as the first of a multi-step process. After eligibility is verified, homeowners will be invited to submit an application.
Required documents will include government identification; insurance policy numbers; proof of damage including any insurance claims; assistance award letters from the Federal Emergency Management Administration or Small Business Administration; proof of income; and proof of ownership, occupancy and primary residency.
“At the end of the [qualification] process, applicants will find out what they have qualified for and they’ll be able to accept that or not,” Gillespie said.
The $616 million is expected to fund the repairing or rebuilding repair homes.
“At the end of the [qualification] process, applicants will find out what they have qualified for and they’ll be able to accept that or not.”
Erin Gillespie, deputy chief of staff
of about 6,000 homes, Gillespie said.
Eligible projects include homes that will need to be completely rebuilt, homes that were partially repaired but not finished, and mobile homes needing repair or replacement.
According to a question-andanswer page on the program’s website, repairs and rebuilds will bring qualifying homes up to local codes using standard grade materials. “No luxury items such as granite countertops or crown moldings are eligible,” it says.
In addition, recipients must agree to allow the full scope of work deemed necessary by the program, the website says. This might include raising the home’s elevation if it is located in a flood hazard zone. Recipients must also agree to buy flood insurance for the repaired or rebuilt structure.
“The homeowner does not have the ability to waive any part of the project,” the site says.
For addresses of help centers outside of South Florida or for other questions about the program, call 844-833-1010.