Diana Stricker Photo
There’s a new $71 million pot of money available for homes and businesses damaged by Super Storm Sandy that are still in need of repairs. Federal money that was promised after the storm last year is finally available for distribution.
The good news is that homeowners can receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. The bad news is that it’s only for damage that has not yet been repaired. Officials said once all the priority cases are met, there may be money to reimburse homeowners who already paid for repairs.
State personnel from the Department of Housing (DOH) and the Department of Economic and Community Development came to Branford a week ago to outline the programs.
Newly elected First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove made his first public appearance after being sworn in to office earlier in the day. He asked several questions about the program, as did Town Engineer Janice Plaziak, who has been working with homeowners after Tropical Storm Irene and Super Storm Sandy.
The seminar last Tuesday at the Community House in Branford was sponsored by Branford’s Planning and Zoning Department and the Economic Development Commission. Jose Giner, the new town planner; and Terry Elton, the town’s economic development director, were spearheading the event.
BUSINESSES ELIGIBLE
A few businessmen attended, including John Bloomquist, manager of the Owenego Inn and Beach Club on Linden Avenue. He later told the Eagle that he may apply if eligible. The Owenego sustained damage to bathhouses but they have been repaired.
Business grants may be used for structural repairs, working capital, capital expenditures to repair or replace equipment or lost inventory, and ongoing or new training programs.
“Super Storm Sandy is not quite a distant memory. We’re still recovering from it,” said Hermia Delaire, program manager for the DOH’s Sandy recovery program.
Delaire said at least 80 percent of the funds will be spent in New Haven and Fairfield counties. “We knew most of the damage occurred in those two counties,” she said. In addition, 50 percent of the funds must be allocated to low-to-moderate income households.
“We have absolutely no idea how many applicants are out there,” she said, adding that state officials are holding seminars to increase awareness about the program. Delaire said 540 applications for home repairs have been received recently and are being processed. No funds have been awarded yet.
Connecticut received $71.82 million from the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that is being administered through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Super Storm Sandy recovery. Of that amount, $30 million is available for homeowners; $26 million is available for multifamily homes; and $4 million is available for small businesses.
Delaire said a portion of the funds will be used for repairs to owner-occupies homes that were damaged in Sandy, and that money is also available to elevate homes in the flood plain, if the homes still have un-repaired damage.
“There are many people in Connecticut who have not been able to return to their homes,” she said. Priorities are for homeowners with “unmet needs” that were not covered by insurance or other disaster funds.
Families who earn less than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) will receive first priority, followed by those who earn between 80 to 120 percent of the AMI; and then families who earn above 120 percent.
According to HUD guidelines for Branford and the city of New Haven, 80 percent of the AMI is $51,500 for a two-person family; and 120 percent of the AMI for a two-person family is $77,280.
Only about a dozen people attended the seminar, and some said they weren’t sure they would qualify, since they already started repairing their homes.
One of the homeowners in attendance was Helen Wong, who lives in Short Beach. She said her home has been damaged in major storms four times in the past 20 years.
Delaire said one stipulation for homeowners who receive grants is that they must remain in their home for five years, or they will have to repay the grant. “After five years, you can do whatever you want,” Delaire said.
In addition, the grants can only be used for primary homes, not vacation homes. She said there cannot be any duplication of benefits, and that the CDBG grants are “gap funding” for costs not covered by insurance, or FEMA or loans.
Applications can be made online or in person at intake centers that were opened in late October. The closest center to Branford is in East Haven at 52 South End Road, Unit A.
Centers are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“It can be a daunting situation but we are here to help you through every step of the process,” Delaire said.
She said after applications are received and it appears homeowners may be eligible, the state will send licensed engineers or architects to do a full structural assessment, at no cost to the homeowners. They will determine the scope of work and provide cost estimates.
SMALL BUSINESS EXPRESS PROGRAM
Delaire said they haven’t received any applications yet from small businesses seeking part of the $4 million grant money. “We do know that businesses received tremendous damage in the state of Connecticut,” she said.
Toni L. Karnes, from the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said businesses must have less than 100 employees to qualify for the grant program, and they must have been in business at least 12 months before the storm.
She is advising business owners to fill out the applications. “It may look daunting…but it’s not, I’m here to help you,” said Karnes. “We try to make it a really easy process.”
For additional information or to apply online, click here.
