Two Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Boston
Release Date: May 9, 2001
Release Number: 1364-19
» More Information on Massachusetts Severe Storms & Flooding
Quincy, MA -- Federal and state officials will open two Disaster Recovery Centers in Boston to provide information to residents who suffered uninsured damage or loss because of the March floods.
The Disaster Recovery Centers will be located on the seventh floor of Boston City Hall at City Hall Plaza and at the Orient Heights Community Center, 86 Boardman St., East Boston. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, May 14, through Friday, May 18.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal, state, local and voluntary agencies will have information available at the centers.
Suffolk County residents became eligible for disaster assistance on April 19 when the county was added to President Bush's April 10 disaster declaration. Seven counties in all are designated for assistance - Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester.
Residents who have suffered losses to homes, personal property or businesses because of March flooding should register for federal disaster assistance by telephone before going to the Disaster Recovery Center. FEMA's toll-free number - 1-800-462-9029 - is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The TTY number for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants is 1-800-462-7585.
The centers will provide information about disaster recovery programs:
- Disaster Housing Assistance, administered by FEMA, may be available to individuals and families whose homes were made uninhabitable by the flooding. This program provides funding for temporary accommodations, rental assistance, or limited home repairs needed to make a property safe, secure and habitable.
- Low-interest loans from the SBA may be available to homeowners, renters or business owners for the repair, replacement or rebuilding of disaster-damaged property.
- Grants may be available to individuals and families who have serious immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources.
- Technical advice will be available on common-sense strategies homeowners can use to minimize losses from future disasters.
Last Modified: Monday, 27-Oct-2003 12:29:42