Kelso to Purchase Slide-Damaged Properties
Up to 127 Homes to be Acquired and Demolished
Release Date: December 1, 1999
Release Number: R10-99-73
Seattle, Wash. -- Washington State's Emergency Management Division (WEMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced plans to help acquire and demolish up to 127 slide-damaged residential properties in Kelso's Aldercrest Subdivision. The project is made possible in part by an award of over $4.2 million in "Unmet Needs" supplemental disaster assistance. These funds, along with more than $3 million in other federal disaster assistance, will provide for almost 30 percent of the pre-disaster market values. According to WEMD director Glen Woodbury, this funding is the result of intense cooperation and hard work from all levels of government to help Aldercrest victims. Including state contributions, there will be approximately $8.4 million available for the project.
"The unstable Aldercrest geology detected by residents in March, 1998 was an insidious earth movement which defied conventional disaster relief criteria," said Woodbury. "FEMA and the state provided $400,000 in temporary housing assistance, $240,000 for household goods storage and moving costs, and the U.S. Small Business Administration approved more than $24 million in low-interest disaster loans, but it wasn't enough. This acquisition project won't meet all expectations, but it is an important step towards closure for hundreds of Aldercrest residents, allowing them to move on with their lives."
FEMA regional director David L. de Courcy agrees. "Our early mitigation strategies focused on providing assistance through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Public Assistance alternate project funds. Fortunately, we were able to supplement these funds further with Unmet Needs dollars," said de Courcy. "We received a lot of support from the local city administration and all the way up through our Congressional delegation to help make this happen.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Jan-2004 11:12:20