Several Richland County residents are one step closer to returning home – to homes that no longer suffer from damage and mold as a result of the October 2015 flood.
“It has been over a year and a half since the October 2015 flood, and, unfortunately, many Richland County residents’ homes remain significantly damaged,” said Mike King, Richland County Disaster Recovery Coordinator.
But help is on the way for some homeowners.
Residents affected by the flood can register for federal housing assistance for home repairs and mobile home replacement during an intake period that begins precisely at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 15. Registration forms will be accepted until June 15 or until 600 residents have applied for the funding, whichever comes first. Low to moderate income residents are a priority for this federal aid.
“This funding will allow us the opportunity to continue providing the critical disaster recovery assistance necessary to return our residents’ homes to safe, sanitary and secure conditions,” King said.
Residents can submit their Single Family Homeowner Rehabilitation forms three ways: in person, by email and by postal mail. Every registration form received between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, May 15 will be considered, regardless of how many have already been received that day, even if that number exceeds the 600 cutoff. Persons in line by 5 p.m. will be allowed to submit their form for consideration, and may do so at two locations:
· Richland County Administration Building
2020 Hampton St., Columbia
· Gadsden Park Community Center
1668 S. Goodwin Circle, Gadsden
King notes two important factors with emailed and postal mailed forms:
· Emailed registration forms sent prior to 9 a.m. on May 15 cannot be accepted. All emails accepted must be sent after 9 a.m.
· Mailed forms must be postmarked May 15. If forms are postmarked May 14, they cannot be accepted. If forms are postmarked May 16, they may not be accepted, depending on whether the 600 limit was met on May 15.
The Single Family Homeowner Rehabilitation registration form is available online at www.rcgov.us/floodrecovery . Residents are encouraged to visit the website, email recovery@rcgov.us or call 888-964-1589 for more information.