The first Virgin Islanders using FEMA’s PHC program received keys Fri. Sept. 28, 2018 to their repaired St. Thomas home 90-days after work began, FEMA announced Friday.
“Getting Virgin Islanders back into their homes by helping them rebuild is one of the main reasons why we’re here,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne. “Recovery is never an easy process, but we are making progress and remain committed to helping homeowners rebuild, come back stronger and be better prepared to face future storms.”
Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the U.S. Virgin Islands last September, more than $83 million in Federal and territorial recovery grants have been disbursed to eligible homeowners and renters for temporary housing assistance and other needs.
FEMA, in partnership with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) and the governor’s office, approved PHC for eligible survivors who sustained at least $17,000 in FEMA Verified Loss (FVL), but not destroyed by the hurricanes.
Survivors who participate in PHC are provided assistance in the form of direct repairs to their pre-disaster primary residence in lieu of financial assistance from FEMA. The agency contacts these eligible survivors via phone calls, texts and emails with program details.
Before approval, FEMA ensures that repairs are necessary to make the home, safe, sanitary and functional. The estimated labor and repairs to the home must not exceed $75,000. Repair costs must be reasonable and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Tags: FEMA’s PHC program
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