Latest news with #CDBG-DR
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions approved to fund hurricane resilience projects across Orange County
More than $85 million in federal funds will soon be used to improve Orange County communities that were hit hard by Hurricane Ian. Orange County Commissioners approved funding on Tuesday to help communities prepare for and withstand future storms. It will support 14 local projects, including four in the City of Orlando, two in the City of Ocoee and one in Winter Garden, Winter Park and the Town of Eatonville. Orange County will also use a portion of the funding to improve stormwater infrastructure in Orlo Vista, Long Lake, Verona Park and the Bonnie Brook communities. Longtime Bonnie Brook resident Jim Tadlock told Channel 9 he's still rebuying furniture after losing everything during Hurricane Ian nearly three years ago. 'I bought a living room, dining room and all new appliances,' said Tadlock, 'Everybody on this street lost everything.' But Tadlock is hopeful that a new project set to upgrade existing pumps and construct a new stormwater pump station at the west end of Applecross Street could make a big difference. Commissioners approved $1.5 million for the project as part of the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. Tadlock, along with Bonnie Brook resident Denise George and Bonnie Brook Homeowners Association President Deborah Marley, had advocated for improvement for years. 'We just started pushing and nagging, and I guess it worked,' said Marley. This funding is part of a $219.7 million allocation received by Orange County through HUD. In addition to awards for public infrastructure, $35 million remains, as part of the CDBG-DR program, available for homeowners with unresolved Hurricane Ian damage through the Orange County Recovers program. Applications are open through the summer. Marley continues, 'You still have people trying to get back into their houses. We've got one guy that just moved back in.' You can learn more about the help for homeowners still recovering here. And explore the other projects via this link. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
West Side Seniors Raises Concerns Over Allocation of HUD Disaster Recovery Grant by City of Chicago
City's Allocation of Disaster Recovery Funds Sparks Concern Chicago, IL, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Side Seniors, a coalition of elders dedicated to the disaster recovery of Chicago's West Side communities, has expressed significant concerns regarding the City of Chicago's proposed allocation of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. The grant, totaling $426,608,000, was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to aid in the long-term recovery efforts following the devastating flooding events of July 2023, which were declared disasters by FEMA (DR-4728), along with subsequent disasters (DR-4749 and DR-4819).West Side Seniors Advocate at Chicago City Hall on April 16, 2025 wearing "Where's My Money?" T-ShirtsThe City of Chicago's current budget proposal for the grant focuses exclusively on infrastructure repairs, neglecting the pressing unmet needs of residents who continue to suffer from the aftermath of these disasters. Many residents are still grappling with mold infestations in their basements, a direct consequence of the flooding, which poses serious health risks and undermines their quality of life. West Side Seniors, in alignment with its mission to empower and uplift the community, is advocating for a more balanced allocation of the funds. The organization emphasizes the importance of addressing both infrastructure and the immediate needs of affected residents to ensure a comprehensive recovery process. "I am tired of living with mold in my basement, going back and forth to the hospital, and not getting any help from the city. When I asked the city for help through a newly launched program, the city sent inspectors to try to condemn my home and take it from me - a home that I have lived in for 40 years and has been passed down from generation to generation," Larry Quinn, Jr. "It is imperative that the recovery efforts prioritize the health and well-being of our residents," stated Princess Shaw, CEO of Light Up Lawndale. "Ignoring the mold issue not only jeopardizes public health but also hinders the overall recovery and resilience of our communities." 'We stand with West Side Seniors and Light Up Lawndale in urging the City of Chicago to listen to the voices of those most impacted by these disasters. Recovery is not just about fixing roads and buildings—it's about restoring the health, dignity, and security of every resident," said Dr. Atyia Martin, Executive Director, Next Leadership Development, which convenes the Black Resilience Network, a national coalition of Black-led organization committed to community resilience. West Side Seniors calls upon city officials to reconsider the budget allocation and to engage with community organizations and residents in the decision-making process. By doing so, the city can ensure that the recovery efforts are inclusive and effective, addressing the full spectrum of needs as the result of these disasters. West Side Seniors, supported by the 501(C)(3) nonprofit Light Up Lawndale, is committed to its mission of fostering a healthier, more cohesive, and flourishing community in Chicago's West Side. The organization continues to work closely with local residents and other stakeholders to advocate for equitable and sustainable development initiatives. About West Side Seniors Light Up Lawndale is a registered 501(C)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Chicago's Lawndale community. Our mission is to change the narrative of Chicago's West Side communities through education, empowerment, engagement, housing, and economic development. We collaborate closely with residents and organizations in Lawndale to foster a healthier, more cohesive, and flourishing community. Press inquiries West Side Seniors Princess Shaw info@ (312)459-9092 1440 West Taylor StreetSuite 582Chicago, IL 60607 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MDA hosts public hearing Tuesday in Amory for disaster recovery funding
JACKSON – The Mississippi Development Authority's Community Incentives-Disaster Recovery Division is hosting a series of public hearings regarding the draft action plan in place to assist areas most impacted and affected by disasters in 2023-2024. The hearing in Amory is Tuesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. at the Old National Guard Armory. The plan will be published for public viewing on the Disaster Recovery Division website at It will be submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development on or before June 21. "Reaching out to the community directly is one of the best tools we have to make sure these funds are being used to effectively serve those most in need,' said Gov. Tate Reeves. 'They will improve housing, infrastructure and economic development throughout the counties devasted by these disasters, and we are dedicated to ensuring that those affected have the resources they need to rebuild their homes and communities." HUD allocated the state of Mississippi nearly $135 million of $12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds to address ongoing disaster-related needs in Hinds County, Belzoni and Silver City in Humphreys County, Moss Point in Jackson County, Amory in Monroe County, Scott County and Sharkey County. The public is invited to the upcoming hearings for information about the action plan or to offer citizen input concerning the proposed activities to be undertaken through the CDBG-DR program. Comments will be considered through the close of business on June 16. MDA will accept comments via mail, fax or e-mail at the following: Mississippi Development Authority Community Incentives Division – Disaster Recovery P.O. Box 849 Jackson, MS 39205 Fax: 601-359-3108 Email: disasterrecoverycomments@ For more information, contact the MDA Disaster Recovery team at disasterrecovery@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New loan assistance will help Lahaina families rebuild homes after wildfires
Maui County is launching a new loan program this summer to help middle-income Lahaina homeowners who are still struggling to rebuild since the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. The Deferred Payment Loan Program is aimed at residents who fall into the 'gap group '—families who make too much to qualify for federal disaster assistance but not enough to cover the full cost of rebuilding on their own. Maui County is committing $7.5 million to the program as part of its fiscal year 2026 budget, with additional contributions expected from philanthropic partners. The Hawaii Community Foundation and Maui United Way have pledged to support the program financially, though exact amounts have not yet been announced. The county's share will be administered through Hawaii Community Lending, which will act as the implementing agency. The program is scheduled to launch later this summer, with July as a tentative target date. Interested Lahaina homeowners can begin the application process through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program at hawaii /mauirelief, to find information about eligibility, required documentation and available support services. The loans, which require no monthly payments upfront, are designed to close critical funding gaps that have left many families in limbo nearly two years after the disaster. 'This is about ensuring everyone has a path forward, ' Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. 'Our community deserves a recovery that reaches all—from our most vulnerable residents to the middle-class families who may not qualify for federal aid but still need support to rebuild their homes and lives. This partnership is a commitment to them.' The Deferred Payment Loan Program is a collaboration among Maui County, HCF, MUW and HCL, which expands on an earlier initiative already underway through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program. Josiah Nishita, Maui County managing director at the Department of Management, said the new loan program has been in the works for some time as officials looked for ways to support families left out of traditional disaster funding streams. Although the county continues to coordinate with FEMA, the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to bring in long-term recovery dollars through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery—or CDBG-DR—program, that federal assistance comes with strict eligibility criteria and income thresholds. 'The (Deferred Payment Loan ) program is primarily going to be able to help those families that are cut in the middle, ' Nishita said. 'They make too much for some of the federal assistance programs but then don't make enough to finance reconstruction or rebuild their homes on their own.' Nishita said HCL already has been working with affected homeowners to help them navigate the complex recovery process, offering one-on-one guidance to connect people with grants, insurance support and financial counseling. The new loan program will build on that work, targeting costs like property surveys, construction estimates, fire-safe rebuilding upgrades, homeowners insurance gaps and even foreclosure prevention. Nishita added that program flexibility is key, as every family's situation is different. While officials do not yet have a specific number of households the program will serve, Nishita said the goal is to stretch available resources to make the greatest possible impact across a wide range of needs. The county also emphasized strong oversight. Each participating organization will be responsible for ensuring that funds are used appropriately, and the county will require documentation and reporting for its share of the funding. 'Hawaii Community Lending has been very open and transparent with the community, as well as engaging a lot of community dialogue, ' Nishita said. 'We have our own requirements for use of public funds, including on grant reporting processes and documentation. … Maui United Way and Hawaii Community Foundation each have their own sets of requirements that Hawaii Community lending will need to ensure to meet so that people can have confidence in the funds being spent appropriately.' As the community awaits the broader rollout of CDBG-DR funds—Maui County expects to receive roughly $1.6 billion in federal aid—Nishita said the loan program fills a critical gap to ensure no one falls through the cracks. HUD already has approved the county's administrative action plan for CDBG-DR, which allows 5 % of the total funds to be used for managing and administering recovery programs. 'One thing that Mayor (Richard ) Bissen has said many times is, if we build a bunch of buildings but don't recognize the faces within them, then we've really failed our mission, ' Nishita said. 'Our goal is really simple : to keep our community at home and to keep our community together … keep our local residents in their homes and on their properties with their neighbors in their neighborhoods.' Outreach will continue through community meetings in Lahaina and updates from the county's Office of Recovery, which also helps survivors access other recovery programs. To date, the county and its partners have held around 60 meetings with homeowners and plan to continue hosting them twice a month. Nishita encouraged wildfire survivors to stay engaged. 'If you've been impacted by the wildfire, continue to participate in the county's informational updates, meetings and keep providing us good feedback, ' he said. 'The county is fully committed to ensure that our local families can continue to stay here, to raise their families here and thrive here.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Volusia County approves hurricane recovery plan with $20 million for home buyouts
Volusia County will spend up to $20 million to buy properties that have flooded multiple times. The money is part of a $135 million grant from the federal government meant to help the area recover from Hurricane Milton and prepare for future storms. The program could be a game-changer for people in Midtown who are still recovering from past storms. Homes still sit empty nearly three years after Hurricane Ian, and those who were able to make repairs finally started to move back in last year, only to be met with more flooding from Hurricane Milton. 'I just moved back into my home about a month or two ago and right now I am scared to death,' said long time Midtown resident Cynthia Slater. Slater who is also the president of the NAACP in Daytona Beach has gutted her house five times and like many of her neighbors, is running out of resources to rebuild or relocate. 'We are stuck where we are unless we sell the house, but again, who is going to buy a house that has been known to flood three, four, five times?' said Slater. Help could be on the way for homeowners in her situation. Volusia County leaders have plans to spend $20 million to purchase properties that habitually flood. They'll then be demolished and turned into retention ponds or open space. The county will provide up to $400,000 for buyouts. The amount given to homeowners will be based on the property's pre-storm appraisal value. Slater said at this point, anything would put people in a better situation. 'They didn't have the money to get things done. I mean it's been 8 months now and people are still tearing out walls, throwing out furniture, it's really sad,' said Slater. It's not clear which cities will get this funding or how individual homeowners will be selected. But the county hopes to have a better idea once it gets some applications together in the coming months. Click here to find more information about how the county will allocate the rest of the funds. A Hurricane Milton recovery plan approved by the Volusia County Council during its May 6 meeting will direct $100 million of federal grant funds into stormwater improvements, future storm protection, and voluntary buyouts to support flood-impacted homeowners. The $133.5 million plan, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, focuses on long-term resilience and helping the community rebuild stronger. Approximately $80 million will be invested in infrastructure and mitigation projects that strengthen stormwater systems, upgrade outdated drainage, and reduce vulnerability to future storms. These funds will be used to partner with Volusia County municipalities and nonprofit organizations to repair damage caused by Hurricane Milton and build infrastructure that helps protect communities across the county from future disasters. Another $20 million will be used to fund a voluntary buyout program to assist property owners in high-risk areas who have experienced repeated storm damage. Once acquired, the land will be preserved as open space or used for floodplain restoration, reducing the risk of future damage while contributing to long-term community resilience. In addition, $20.2 million is set aside for a repair and replacement program to help eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners rebuild their lives. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
