HUD released a Notice providing over $700 million in disaster mitigation funding to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) as the territory recovers from 2017’s Hurricane Irma. HUD had previously stated that USVI officials did not have the capacity to adequately manage the funds, delaying money for the territory along with funds intended for Puerto Rico. Although HUD stated last month that funding for the two territories would be released together, separate from disaster mitigation funds headed to U.S. states, the Notice provides funding for the USVI alone. Congress approved $16.5 billion in mitigation funding for Puerto Rico and other disaster-impacted states in February 2018. Because of delays, Congress had directed HUD to release these mitigation funds within 90 days, a deadline ending September 4. It is unclear when the agency plans to release the allocations for Puerto Rico. Advocates will continue to push for this funding as Hurricane Maria survivors mark the two year anniversary of the storm. Events are planned in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and around the country. Leaders from the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) will share information on the current status of recovery in Puerto Rico and commemoration events on a September 12, 10:00 am - 11:00 am ET. webinar. Register for this webinar at: https://tinyurl.com/y56f3onp
In response to the move, DHRC called on HUD Secretary Ben Carson to comply with the congressionally mandated deadline and release the funds Puerto Rico needs to recover. “Hurricane Dorian’s recent near-miss of Puerto Rico underscores the importance of this mitigation funding,” stated Diane Yentel, NLIHC president and CEO. “The Trump administration’s continued efforts to withhold mitigation funds is directly interfering with Puerto Rico’s ability to prepare for future storms as they continue their recovery from the 2017 hurricane season.”
Read the text of the Notice at: https://bit.ly/2lZxDGR
Read the DHRC’s statement at: https://bit.ly/2lGFetF
Register for the September 12, 10:00 am webinar at: https://tinyurl.com/y56f3onp