BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program has announced the availability of funds to assist Vermont residents with unmet repair needs in the wake of flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
The program offers grants or loans to income-eligible Vermont homeowners to make repairs or for down-payment assistance for replacement homes for eligible applicants.
“The program is intended to assist in funding unmet needs, those repairs not covered by insurance or other program funding,” said Jen Hollar, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development.
The program is administered by the state's NeighborWorks Alliance and its five NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Centers across the state.
According to George Mathias, chief operating officer of RuralEdge, the program's lead administrator, these centers “have vast experience delivering grants, affordable loans, and home repair assistance to Vermonters through the longstanding Revolving Loan Fund Programs and are well suited to assist homeowners in recovering from this crisis.”
Mathias said his office stands ready to serve applicants in every region of the state.
“This is a 'local' program being delivered across the state. Residents, whether they are already working with case managers or not, should contact the program right away,” he said.