More Than $1.6 Million Approved for Ohio Disaster Grants and Low-Interest Loans
Release Date: September 1, 2000
Release Number: 1339-07
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms And Flooding
Toledo, OH -- More than $1.6 million in disaster housing grants and low-interest loans have already been approved for some of the almost 2,000 Lucas County residents who have called to apply for federal and state disaster assistance. President Clinton declared Lucas County a major disaster area on August 21st. So far 1967 applications have been taken to assist storm and flood disaster victims.
Disaster Housing grants totaling $1,517,714 for 821 victims have been approved. These grants are available to individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the storms and flooding. These grants may cover temporary rental assistance, emergency repairs needed to make a residence habitable or reimbursement for repairs that have already been completed, and mortgage or rental assistance in cases where the disaster has caused extreme economic hardship. An additional $129,000 was also approved for seven low-interest home loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
People who have been affected are encouraged to call 800-462-9029 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week to apply for federal and state disaster assistance programs. The number for hearing and speech impaired is TTY 800-462-7585. Multi-lingual operators are available to take your calls.
"Even if you previously called the city, county or local volunteer agency to report your damage during the flooding, you must call the FEMA toll-free number to apply for state and federal assistance programs now that a presidential declaration has been issued," said Lou Botta, FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer. "Applying by phone is a quick and efficient way to help those who need it."
Voluntary Agencies Continue Assistance Hotline
Flood victims may still contact local voluntary agencies by calling 246-4636 if they have unmet needs. Volunteers are still available to assist with such disaster-related needs as cleaning and debris removal, home repairs, furniture and clothing needs, counseling, furnace or hot heater minor repairs, and emergency food requests. They can also provide transportation for seniors or those with special needs to one of the two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.
Disaster Victims Visit New Disaster Recovery Center
Flood victims now have a second Disaster Recovery Center available to answer questions about the variety of federal and state disaster assistance programs. Opened on Thursday, the new center is located inside the North Towne Square to serve victims of the recent storms and flooding. The center is located at 343 New Towne Square Dr. (near Pearle Vision).
More than 100 individuals and families have visited the two centers this week. The initial recovery center is located in the Federal Building (First Floor) at 234 N. Summit St. Both centers will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Saturday. They will be closed on Sunday and Labor Day (Monday, September 4) and reopen on Tuesday.
Ohio EMA State Coordinating Officer Dale Shipley explained that those who have applied for assistance may visit either Disaster Recovery Center if they have questions regarding programs and services available to eligible applicants. Those programs include disaster housing grants, low-interest loans for repair, replacement or rebuilding of disaster-damaged property, grants for serious immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources and/or technical assistance on common-sense measures to reduce future disaster risks.
After calling to apply, disaster victims may visit one of the centers if they have questions about the application process or just wish to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. Representatives of local, state and federal agencies, as well as volunteer agencies will be on hand to provide program and service information. There are also SBA representatives available to help you complete a low-interest loan application, and FEMA and Ohio EMA specialists to discuss common-sense measures to reduce future disaster losses.
"We realize that we can't make people whole or replace every item that was lost, but we hope that the state and federal financial assistance available will help individuals and families to begin the recovery process," Botta said. "We want them to know we are concerned, and we will be here as long as necessary to provide the eligible assistance that disaster victims are entitled to and answer their questions."
FEMA Makes Presentation at Senior Citizen Centers
FEMA Community Relations personnel are meeting with senior citizens, who might have been affected by to recent storms and flood, to make sure than they are aware of the state and federal disaster programs available to them. The presentations give seniors an opportunity to ask questions about the assistance and to identify any special needs that may be necessary for individual cases.
Sam Baldwin, Housing Coordinator for the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., helped to put together the schedule of nine presentations, which started August 29 and will continue through September 12. Additional presentations may be added.
The remaining schedule includes presentations at the East Toledo Senior Center (Sept. 5, 11:15 a.m.), James Hancock Senior Center (Sept. 6, 11:15 a.m.), Friendship Park Senior Center (Sept. 7, 12:30 p.m.), Sylvania Senior Center (Sept. 11, 11:45 a.m.), and Mayores Senior Center (Sept. 12, 11:15 a.m.).
SBA Helps Homoeowners and Renters Too
Some individuals and families may seem confused when they apply for disaster assistance and receive a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The first thought that runs through their minds is "I'm not a business." But don't let the SBA name fool you. In a disaster, SBA low-interest loans are the primary source of financial assistance through low-interest loans for homeowners and renters, as well as business owners.
SBA has issued more than 1,300 loan packages to flood victims, but only 117 have been submitted. If you receive an SBA loan application you should complete and return the package as soon as possible. SBA officials pointed out that completing the application does not obligate you to take a disaster loan, but if the package is not returned it may delay other forms of disaster assistance.
Renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for personal property losses, while homeowners may receive $200,000 for repairs or rebuilding their home and $40,000 for personal property. Low-interest disaster loans are currently below four percent.
"If for any reason, an applicant is not eligible for a low-interest loan they will automatically be referred to the Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program," Shipley said. "This program provides grants to individuals and families to meet serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or available through other federal, state or voluntary agency disaster assistance programs."
The IFG program is administered by the state, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the funds and the state providing the remaining 25 percent.
Business owners are only eligible for loans, up to $1.5 million. These are designed to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc., not covered by insurance. The loans are available to large and small businesses, including those that have a self-employed business. Loans also may be available only to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the recovery period.
Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 11:19:25