NEW Rise WV funding to help those impacted by June 2016 Flood

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Contractors are ready to help 2016 flood victims rebuild their homes under the RISE WV Disaster Recovery Housing Program.The contractors were named last week by the state Development Office after a competitive bidding process. The contractors awarded the bids were Appalachia Service Project, of Brenton; River Valley Remodeling, of Charleston; Thompson Construction, of Lavalette; and Dan Hill Construction Company, of Gauley Bridge.

Development Office Director of Community Advancement and Development Mary Jo Thompson said once the funds arrive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development they will get to work.
“We’re in the process right now right now of clearing all of the environmental requirements from HUD and once that’s finished we’ll start to build some houses,” Thompson said.

Thompson hopes to get some projects started before crews are delayed by the winter weather.
“Obviously winter is coming and so we are full throttle ahead on pressing HUD to get these funds too us,” Thompson said, adding that she’s hopeful to hear something before the end of the month.

The state has been granted $149 million from HUD. Homeowners impacted by the June 2016 flood can apply for grants one of three ways:

1. In-person at one of these Development Office locations: 

   4202 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
   Charleston WV, 25304

   706 East Main Street
   White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986

2. Call 1-844-882-1942, or

3. Go to www.RISEWV.com

The deadline to apply is Nov. 30.
Thompson said the goal of RISE WV is take care of as many residents as possible. She hopes to seek more money from HUD in the future. “We’re going to respectfully sit at the table while disaster funds are going to other areas that have suffered far more damage and ask for more for West Virginia because we’re doing the right thing. We’re becoming resilient and we’re certainly making an impact on people’s homes that suffered loss,” she said. 

In a news release last week, Gov. Justice urged residents in Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties to apply. “This program is going to be a game changer for our West Virginia families that were impacted by the devastating flooding,” Justice said. “I commend the countless volunteer organizations, community members and churches that have been active and continue to assist those affected by this tragedy since day one.”

The program is about long-term flood recovery, Thompson said. “We’re going to be able to do structural renovations, literally turn-key residential property reconstruction and manufactured housing unit replacement,” she said.