Providence, R.I. – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee announced today that an initial award of $625,000 in United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) disaster recovery funds has been approved for use on repair and replacement projects in Washington and Newport counties. The funds represent the first installment of the State's $3.2 million allocation of Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.
"Although Rhode Island was not in the direct path of Hurricane Sandy, it did cause damage in our state," Governor Chafee said. "Many of our southern, coastal communities suffered significantly, specifically homes, businesses, and public facilities. This is another way to help Rhode Islanders recover from Sandy."
CDBG-DR funds are meant to help defray costs not already covered by either other federal assistance programs or private insurance. In addition, the requirements of this grant program mandate that at least 50 percent of the total award amount be used for projects in low- and moderate- income communities in the two counties.
"The primary use of this first round of funding will be to repair public facilities and infrastructure," Kevin Flynn, Associate Director, State of Rhode Island Division of Planning, said. "Future allocations will benefit individual homeowners, businesses, and our cities and towns."
Rhode Island's Disaster Recovery Action Plan is based on proposals from local governments and non-profit organizations detailing urgent need projects, and projects that will benefit low- to moderate- income individuals in Washington and Newport counties. The Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) administers CDBG-DR funds on behalf of the State. OHCD is continuing to accept applications for projects benefiting low- and moderate- income persons.