Gov. Shumlin Announces that Grand Isle County has Received Public Assistance Declaration September 16, 2011 MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin announced today that FEMA has approved a Public Assistance Declaration for Grand Isle County, ensuring that federal assistance for road, bridge and other public infrastructure repairs will be available for every county in the state. “This is great news,” Gov. Shumlin said. “There has been extensive damage to roads, public buildings, bridges and other infrastructure all over the state, and Grand Isle County had high power restoration costs. I appreciate the Obama administration moving quickly to approve our Public Assistance Declaration request for the entire state.” Damage estimates for Grand Isle County finalized on Wednesday exceeded the requirement to meet the federal threshold for assistance. ——————————————————————- Gov. Shumlin Announces Individual Assistance Approved For Three More Counties September 16, 2011 MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced that FEMA approved an Individual Assistance Declaration for Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans Counties, enabling homeowners and business owners to apply for federal financial assistance for everything from rebuilding costs to temporary housing expenses. “I appreciate the Obama administration moving so quickly to approve this request,” the Governor said. “This assistance will help Vermonters who have suffered damage or the loss of their homes and businesses get back on their feet.” Gov. Shumlin also thanked Vermont’s congressional delegation – Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch – for continuing to press Congress to replenish FEMA’s disaster assistance fund. The counties of Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor had already been approved for individual assistance by the White House. Assessment of damage to homes and businesses in Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans Counties was completed on Sept. 13 and the declaration request submitted to FEMA on Sept. 14. The IA declaration will allow home and business owners who sustained damage from the Tropical Storm to apply for reimbursement for repairs, temporary housing costs, septic system replacements, entrance and exit ways from the home, including privately owned access roads, and more. Vermonters impacted by the storm in these counties should call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.disasterassistance.org. Every county except Grand Isle has received a Public Assistance Declaration, which provides federal assistance for repair and replacement of roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. Gov. Shumlin submitted a request for that declaration for Grand Isle on Thursday and is hoping for swift approval. ——————————————————————- A Message from Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Representative Welch Announce Opening of Apartments To Storm-Displaced Vermonters (FRIDAY, Sept. 16) — Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Friday announced that about 90 vacant federally assisted apartments will be available to Vermonters displaced by Tropical Storm Irene, thanks to a federal waiver from the U.S. Treasury Department granted at the request of Governor Peter Shumlin and through the Vermont congressional delegation’s advocacy. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) identified approximately 90 vacant apartments across the state that had been built using federal tax credit programs. The apartments usually require the residents to meet certain income eligibility requirements, disqualifying some Irene victims. Leahy, Welch and Sanders contacted Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in support of Governor Shumlin’s request to temporarily waive the income requirements due to the housing demand created by the storm. Geithner granted the waiver on Friday. A list of available properties can be found at VHFA’s housing website at: www.housingdata.org. Flood victims can directly contact the property manager of an available property. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development encourages victims to be sure they are registered with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. Landlords who have available private rental units are encouraged to call FEMA at 1-866-330-5286. Second homeowners willing to offer their vacant homes to flood victims are encouraged to call 1-866-330-5286.
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Resources for Irene Victims
Efficiency Assistance for Vermonters Repairing Homes September 15, 2011 As Vermonters repair or rebuild their homes, Efficiency Vermont can provide advice on replacing damaged insulations and on how to address health and safety issues. In addition, Efficiency Vermont has financial assistance available for air sealing, replacing insulation, heating and hot water systems as well as rebated on ENERGY STAR clothes washers, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators. For more information call: 1-800-921-5990 (toll-free) or visit: www.efficiencyvermont.com/irene ——————————————————————- Home Sharing Options for People Displaced by Storm September 15, 2011 Home Share Now is facilitating short-term and long-term sharing matches for people displaced by Irene. If the flood has left you homeless, or you have room in your home to share during this time of crisis, contact 802-479-8544 for more information about home sharing. Learn more about home sharing at: www.homesharenow.org ——————————————————————- FEMA and SBA Officials Urge Homeowners Affected by Irene to Register for Assistance September 15, 2011 Jane Lindholm discussed options for Vermont homeowners with damage from Tropical Storm Irene today on VPR’s Vermont Edition. Guests from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) urged affected residents to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting FEMA’s website at www.disasterassistance.org ——————————————————————- Database to Coordinate Flood Volunteer Efforts September 16th, 2011 Serve Vermont and the United Way have created an online database to coordinate flood volunteer efforts. The database enables volunteer coordinators to post volunteer needs for events. Registered volunteers can then sign up to participate in the posted events. The database also enables the volunteer coordinator to manage expectations by listing the number of volunteers necessary for the event. For more information and to sign up please view the PDF “Instructions for Volunteer Agencies Registering in UW”. PDF: Instructions for Volunteer Agencies Registering in UW
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