Latest news with #CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantDisasterRecovery
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘It's really sad we got to this': Flooding concerns loom in Apopka as hurricane season begins
It was October of 2024 when Hurricane Milton hit Florida. Following its path, communities in Apopka were left underwater for several weeks. 'I don't want a repeat of last year,' said Amber Barrick, a long-time Apopka resident. 'It is really sad that we've gotten to this point, but let's get the long-term plans there.' Barrick lives at the Wekiva Village. As of Wednesday, it all looked normal and dry – quite a different picture from 2024, when the same community was left without power for more than a week, and their homes were filled with water streaming down their hallways. Since February, there's been a border lake project in the works that would address concerns for the entire city. However, neighbors say so far, the plan is just that - a plan. 'As of today, I don't believe the plan has been executed,' Barrick said. According to the City of Apopka, the work should not take long to begin. '[It should start] really soon,' Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson said. 'I need to get city council approval; if I can get this document opened, I will present it.' City leaders debated the project on Wednesday, but they were not able to reach an agreement about when the project would start. Orange County claims all the details about their part in the project have been defined. 'The county has put in the gauges, has done a study, and prepared all the paperwork to submit to Saint John Water Management,' said Commissioner Christine Moore, who represents District 2. Channel 9 also confirmed that the City of Apopka was eligible for funds for flooding projects from Hurricane Ian. The money—more than 85 million dollars—was awarded to Orange County through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Municipalities could apply for the grant until February, but according to a county official, the City of Apopka never finished its application for the funds. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Help me get back into my home': Hillsborough residents give input on spending $709M in storm recovery funds
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla (WFLA) — Hillsborough County is asking residents to give input on potential spending for storm recovery funds. The county held the first of nine public meetings on Wednesday night. $709 million of federal funding is available to help with recovery and mitigation efforts related to Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery. Many hurricane victims are at different stages of recovery. Barbara Yarborough is back in her West Park home after having four feet of water on the inside. 'I walked in the front door and nothing was in the same place,' said Yarborough. 'It was dirty sewer water, that's what bothered me.' Yarborough couldn't make it to the meeting on Wednesday, but said she had been encouraging her neighbors to go, as she says they've never seen flooding like what they saw last fall. Evelyn Igbinosun lives in Lake Magdalene and said three feet of water rushed into her house. 'I'm still not in my house,' said Igbinosun. 'If I didn't have a relative, I would be out on the street.' These women, and other residents, called on Hillsborough County to make some changes. The county proposes putting $35 million toward administration, $5 million for planning, $360 million for housing, $107 million for infrastructure, $180 million toward the economy, and $12 million for public services. 'We want this to be fair and accessible to all who qualify,' said the moderator of the public hearing. Residents said they felt $709 million isn't enough money to help. '$10 million for flood mitigation wouldn't even cover this area,' said one resident. 'These public dollars should prioritize long-term community resilience, not corporate profit,' said another resident. They also mentioned the backed-up canals and drainage systems they feel make storms even worse. 'Our ditches in the Town and Country area are horrible,' said one woman. 'It rained the other day and I went into a panic. I said 'Oh my gosh, I hope it's not going to rain too much,'' said Yarborough. 'I want them to redo the gutters and that canal there. Stormwater and drainage, after all, that's why we're here. Florida, we're known for that, so we need to take care of it. And I thought our taxes went to take care of things.' Igbinosun said she doesn't think the county was prepared for these storms and wants them to act now. 'Help me get back into my home. I would love that because my husband is in a nursing home. We use to go and get him and bring him home for the day. We can't even do that anymore,' said Igbinosun. 'Drainage would be the most important thing to me and then helping people like me get back into their homes and function day to day in their own surroundings.' The county has six years to use these funds. If the plan is approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the county can implement the program later this fall. If you want to send Marilyn Parker a news tip about this story or other newsworthy events, fill out the form below! Submit a form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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
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
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HUD approves $1.4 billion grant to help rebuild homes in western North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Trump administration approved $1.4 billion in grants to help rebuild western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, Gov. Josh Stein announced Friday. The funding for the state's Helene Action Plan is provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 'This is great news for western North Carolina,' Stein said in a statement. 'I thank the Trump Administration for moving quickly to approve this plan so we can get busy rebuilding people's homes.' Senator Tillis introduces legislation to help small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene The governor's office said compared to other states in the last decade, North Carolina submitted its Helene Action Plan to HUD in the shortest amount of time following a major hurricane. A team with the NC Department of Commerce submitted the final version of the Action Plan to HUD on March 26. The move comes two weeks after the Federal Emergency Management Administration denied the state's request for an extension on the 100 percent match for Helene disaster recovery. Approving the Action Plan was the required next step to receive federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery award (CDBG-DR), which was first announced in January. Once HUD certifies the state's financial controls for the program, North Carolina can sign the grant agreement and begin committing these funds with a focus on housing and economic revitalization. CDBG-DR grants focus on long-term rebuilding rather than immediate needs for shelter and are considered 'last resort' funds to be used after other recovery sources have been tapped, such as private insurance. The Helene Action Plan proposes most funds go to housing recovery for low- and moderate-income residents, with the rest for infrastructure rebuilding and economic development. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
