Although several months has passed since flooding devastated portions of Lycoming County, many county residents still are having trouble returning to their homes or finding affordable housing until they can return to them.
STEP Inc. has launched two programs designed to assist such people.
The affordable Housing Gap Funding Program will provide financial assistance to help flood victims pay for temporary housing, while the Homes in Need - Flood Recovery Program will provide repairs to allow homes to be habitable.
The Housing Gap Funding Program will provide funding to pay for temporary housing in hotels or apartments while displaced residents find permanent housing or make repairs to their homes.
The program will pay the difference between the amount the Federal Emergency Management Agency pays displaced residents for temporary housing and the actual market rates in the county, according to STEP Director of Planning Rachelle Ricotta.
The program works in conjunction with FEMA's timeframe for temporary housing assistance, which is two months with an option to extend the program for up to 18 months after displacement, Ricotta said.
The program will use $80,000 contributed by the Williamsport-Lycoming Community Foundation and an anticipated $15,000 contribution by the Lycoming County commissioners, she said.
The Homes in Need - Flood Recovery Program provides labor and material to make basic home repairs necessary for flood victims to return safely to their homes, according to STEP President and CEO Terry Roller.
The program is an offshoot of STEP's Homes in Need Program, which was developed in 2005 by county Commissioner Rebecca A. Burke and STEP, Ricotta said.
"We're using the same (program) framework but changed it to help flood victims," she said. "We tweaked it to make it useable for flood victims."
STEP housing initiative staff and participants in STEP's YouthBuild Program will provide the necessary repairs, which may include work on heating, plumbing and electrical systems or other types of basic repairs.
The program is funded through contributions from nine corporate donors totalling $283,000, plus a $35,000 contribution from the foundation, she said.
Companies who donated to the program are eligible for tax credits. According to Ricotta, they include Infinity Oil Field Services, Alexander Family Dealerships, Jersey Shore State Bank, Woodlands Bank, M&T Bank, Frey's Commissary, Larson Design Group, W.R. Sims Insurance Agency Inc., and Beiters Home Center.
According to Roller, STEP actually was planning on launching the program prior to the flood to provide affordable housing.
"When the flood happened it was a no-brainer to target flood victims and help get them back into their homes," Roller said. "We were trying to be nimble and responsive to the community's needs."
According to Ricotta, the program will not duplicate work paid for by FEMA or a homeowner's insurance. Because of that, applicants seeking assistance through the program must be verified for the program.
Once homeowner eligibility is verified, a certified home renovator will inspect the home to prioritize needed repairs. Homes must be cleaned and free of debris to be eligible. Once the repairs are made, the home will be inspected to ensure the repairs meet building standards.
Homeowners impacted by flooding are invited to attend meetings to learn more about the flood recovery program and the county's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The meetings are:
6 p.m. Tuesday at the Montoursville Borough Building, 617 N. Loyalsock Ave., Montoursville
6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Hughesville Fire Hall, 30 S. Railroad St., Hughesville
6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Old Lycoming Township Fire hall, 1600 Dewey Ave., Williamsport
Due to the verification process, Ricotta urges homeowners to apply as soon as possible for the program.
To receive an application for either program, call 570-601-9509, or for more information visit STEP's website at www.stepcorp.org.
