Connecticut Officials to Hold Informational Forum on Sandy Relief

Article

Connecticut’s Department of Housing plans to inform homeowners affected by Superstorm Sandy about how they can apply for federal relief funds.

Homeowners can now apply for federal relief funds online at the website www.ctrecovers.ct.gov. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the state’s action plan for distributing nearly $72 million in aid to help residents, businesses and communities recover and rebuild after the October 2012 storm hit Connecticut’s coastline.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said more than 38,000 resident structures were damaged by the storm. Assistance ranging from $10,000 to $150,000 will be available.

“Too many homeowners, especially those living along the coastline, are still reeling from the storm’s devastating impact,” Malloy said in a written statement. “This federal assistance will go a long way toward offsetting the costs of rebuilding and mitigating such destruction in the future so displaced residents can go home and get their lives back in order.”

Expenses eligible for the federal aid include those not covered by insurance, including structural repair or replacement of damaged property, lead-based paint abatement, asbestos abatement, assistance in elevating homes to reduce risk for future disasters and cost-effective energy improvements.

Evonne Klein, the state’s housing commissioner, said the agency will open centers in the four counties eligible for aid sometime in the next month to help homeowners with the application process.

“In the meantime, people can go to the state’s recovery website or the housing department’s site and start the application process immediately,” she said.

The state Department of Housing has scheduled an informational forum at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Milford City Hall to answer questions about the application process and eligibility requirements.