Home run: County gets $4M to aid Niland fire victims
NILAND– Some owners of residential property destroyed by a brush fire here nearly two years ago are expected to be rebuilding later this year due to a $ 4.4 million grant Imperial County obtained from the state, it was announced Monday.
The June 28, 2020, brush fire in the impoverished, unincorporated town destroyed about 40 structures and left 33 families homeless. Many were aided by temporary housing, including travel trailers, while others left the area, but until now a permanent solution has been evasive.
The County Executive Office sought funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development in a May 2021 grant application.
“The county applied for the maximum amount available to replace all owner- occupied eligible residences that lost their homes,” county Deputy Executive Officer Esperanza Colio-Warren said when asked if the county received everything for which it asked.
Those getting assistance must be income eligible and own their property per the grant requirements, Colio-Warren said, adding she is still seeking funds to assist several families who were renting dwellings that were destroyed.
Explaining the next steps, Colio-Warren added, “The grant agreement is being processed (and) may be executed around June. The process to rehabilitate the houses will begin after receiving the executed grant,” she added.
Once the grant is finalized the county will invite bids to build the houses. The county will oversee the building and use the grant funds to pay for construction and furnishing the homes. For the homeowners the money amounts to a forgivable loan, Colio-Warren added.
Between 15 and 18 houses will be constructed, with the exact number depending on construction costs, supply availability (including appliances) and the number of bedrooms per dwelling as determined by the size of the family, Colio-Warren added.
In assessing the needs, the county met individually with eligible residents who lost their homes and held a public hearing for further input. The grant application was “fully supported” by the community, Colio-Warren added.
County Supervisor Ryan Kelley, whose district includes Niland, lauded the efforts in a prepared statement released Monday by the county.
“This morning’s announcement is welcome news to the Board of Supervisors and those impacted by the recent fire,” Kelley said. “I have trust and confidence that county administration will make the best application of these funds for those families and individuals eligible for assistance.”
State Rep. Eduardo Garcia said in the same statement the grant application process included meeting with HCD officials “to impress upon them the urgency of the situation and urge the state to deliver funding to support Niland residents…”