The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved the state’s action plan to disburse $71.82 million in federal funding to help residents, businesses and communities recover and rebuild after Storm Sandy, according to Gov. Dannel Malloy.
Superstorm Sandy was the third large storm to hit the state in a year. That storm, combined with Hurricane Irene and the freak October snowstorm caused more than $1 billion in damage in the state, according to Malloy.
“This funding will allow us to move forward with our plan to help residents rebuild, get businesses back on their feet and make some of the investments in our infrastructure that are so clearly necessary,” Malloy said. “Connecticut has experienced more than its fair share of severe weather related events over the last two and a half years. And while we have been through a lot, we know that another storm is inevitable.”
The state Department of Housing’s plan includes:
- $30 million to help homeowners repair damage;
- $26 million to rehabilitate and rebuild low and moderate-income multifamily homes;
- $4 million to assist a wide range of businesses affected by the storm;
- $4 million to address infrastructure needs that pose health and safety risks;
- $2.2 million for public building repairs; and
- $2 million for planning activities, including plans for future mitigation.
Individual grants can be used for repairs of single-family and multifamily housing, infrastructure, public facilities, as well as small businesses in Fairfield, New London, New Haven, and Middlesex counties and the Mashantucket Pequot tribal area.
“We know the need across southern Connecticut is great. Our primary focus is disbursing these funds in a way that maximizes their effectiveness — to help as many people and as many communities as we possibly can with the funds we have available,” DOH Commissioner Evonne Klein said.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
