$4,600 Rebuild and Retain Grants assisting flood-impacted homeowners Posted on 6/11/2012
Grant dollars from the state-funded Housing Rehabilitation and Retention program are flowing out to applicants in Ward County this month, with the average individual grant at approximately $4,600. One of the first applicants to receive assistance to pay off rebuilding expenses is George and Donna Frederick of Minot.
"Anything helps when you are down," said George. "We're so grateful that this program was there for us, words can't even explain how happy we are."
According to George, he and his wife are currently getting new sheetrock put into their house and the grant assistance is helping them to stay in Minot. The Fredericks live in the Green Valley neighborhood in southeast Minot and were able to borrow money from the State Bank of North Dakota Rebuilder's Loan Program and have a loan through SBA. George says he understands that a lot of North Dakotans aren't the type to look for or accept a government handout to fix their problem, but with the flood disaster of last year he doesn't see any other way he and his wife could rebuild and stay in Minot without programs like the Rehabilitation and Retention Grant.
"If you can get help to put your house back together, go for it!" said George.
Connie Philipenko, director of the Souris Valley Long Term Recovery, administers the $3.5 million grant from the state of North Dakota and says there is still plenty of funding available to help eligible flood-impacted homeowners. Philipenko says $349,200 has already been disbursed or allocated for disbursement, to help some of the almost 500 families and individuals who have applied for the Rebuild and Retain grant. The program is able to review roughly 50 applications every week. She says they would love to see another 300 or 400 families apply for and receive assistance from the grant.
The chart below details the income levels, based on household size, eligible to receive funds. Distribution of the grant will be considered for safe, sanitary, secure and essential living space. Applicants must have owned their flooded home and will reside in their re-built home. The form can be found online at www.svunitedway.com or by stopping by the Souris Valley United Way office in downtown Minot at 15 2nd Avenue SW.
Eligibility guidelines for Rebuild and Retain Grant Household Size 2011 Gross Income (must be below) 1 .............................$40,212 2 .............................$54,468 3 .............................$68,724 4 .............................$82,980 5 .............................$97,236 6 .............................$111,492 7 .............................$125,748 8 .............................$140,004 For each additional person, add ......$14,256
The Souris Valley Long Term Recovery Committee with assistance from Ward County received $3.5 million from the North Dakota Adjutant General's office for the Housing Rehabilitation and Citizen Retention Grant. Homeowners in Ward County affected by the 2011 flood who are planning to rebuild their home and move back can apply for funds from this State grant. Funds will be dispersed to assist rebuilding only the main floor of each residence. These funds are not available to those that are planning to sell or rent their property.
There are 3 categories where grant recipients can use the funding:
1. Homeowners who have rebuilt or are in the process of rebuilding may receive reimbursements for material and labor used to rebuild the main floor of the home. Once determined to be eligible homeowners will be asked to submit original receipts that have not been reimbursed under any other funding program.
2. Homeowners who are in the process of rebuilding or will be rebuilding the main floor of their home in the future may receive funds to purchase building materials at any direct vendor.
3. Homeowners deemed to be eligible for volunteer labor to rebuild the main floor of their home may receive building materials through the Recovery Warehouse and volunteer labor through Hope Village.
For more information on the Housing Rehabilitation and Retention Grant go to the Souris Valley Long Term Recovery website at www.recoverthemagic.org or visit the Souris Valley United Way website to download an application at www.svunitedway.com.
