The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved Iowa’s $517 million disaster recovery plan. The action plan, which is funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), includes the following:
House Democrats serving on the Rebuild Iowa and Disaster Recovery Committee outlined a new $100 million aid package at the Statehouse today. The package is designed to help flood ravaged communities rebuild homes, businesses, and public buildings.
“We know many communities across Iowa are still putting the pieces back together after last summer’s devastating floods and storms. As chair of the Rebuild Iowa and Disaster Recovery Committee, it is my goal to prioritize state recovery efforts and help communities rebuild stronger than before,” said State Representative Tom Schueller of Maquoketa. (more…)
An update from the Rebuild Iowa Office:
Total disaster assistance approved for residents and governments in Iowa impacted by this year’s storms, tornadoes and flooding grew by more than $7.5 million this week. The additional funding was primarily due to increases in State/FEMA Public Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration Loans and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
More than 39,600 Iowans have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance and more than 35,000 Iowans have visited FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers around the state. Of the 85 Iowa counties eligible for federal assistance, 77 are eligible for both individual assistance and public assistance. (more…)
Two state boards took action this week to implement Governor Culver’s $40 million flood recovery intiative for homeowners and small businesses. The Iowa Department of Economic Development Board approved $10 million for the initiative today and will also administer the Jumpstart Small Business Assistance Program.
Yesterday, the Iowa Power Fund Board approved $7.5 million for energy efficient flood repair and rebuilding. Applications for the Jumpstart initiative should be available next week.
Governor Chet Culver announced today that the state will provide $40 million in housing and business assistance for Iowans impacted by floods and tornadoes this year. For more information on the Jumpstart Housing program, click here. Information on the Jumpstart Business program is available here.
The $20 million in housing assistance will help Iowans rebuild, repair, relocate, or make interim mortgage payments up to $1,000 per month, which also helps Iowans with property tax payments. Businesses will get the other $20 million in assistance with up to a $50,000 forgivable loan, which means they won’t have to be repaid like the federal SBA loans, to help re-open or rebuild.