Disaster Recovery
HUD Approves Release of Puerto Rico’s CDBG Funding
FEMA Proposed Rule: Cost of Assistance Estimates in the Disaster Declaration Process for the Public Assistance Program
Executive Order to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States
V.I. Housing Authority, Pennrose break ground on first apartment community in a Territory-wide public housing renewal plan
1.27.21
From the Virgin Islands Housing Authority's press release:
Former Tutu High Rise and Donoe residents displaced by Hurricanes Marilyn, Irma and Maria will have first option to apply for new hurricane-resistant, energy-independent residential community.
Ribbon Cutting for STJ Senior Center is First of Many Projects to Come (Virgin Islands Housing Authority)
1.13.21
From the St. Thomas Source:
The cutting of a ribbon on Thursday to celebrate the reconstruction of a senior center on St. John had significance beyond that of an obligatory civic ritual.
More than three years after the devastating storms of 2017, Thursday’s event represents the culmination of hard work and collaboration among multiple territorial agencies, the federal government and the private sector to reach an important milestone.
Final Batch of Low-Income Homes at Louis E. Brown Villas Come Online (Virgin Islands Housing Authority)
7.9.20
From the St. Croix Source:
"The last phase of the Louis E. Brown Villas is now complete and 90 hurricane-resilient, family apartments are ready for occupancy, according to the V.I. Housing Authority.
These join 102 family units completed in 2011 and 40 completed in 2013, all developed by McCormack Baron Salazar. According to a news release from the Housing Authority, the total development cost for all 232 units was $80.7 million and included financing support from VIHA.
Housing Authority Gives Senate a Glimpse of What’s to Come (Virgin Islands Housing Authority)
2.6.20
From the St. Thomas Source:
The Virgin Islands Housing Authority unveiled a portfolio plan for lawmakers that spans 10 years, requires an investment of $830 million, will generate or impact 3,300 jobs and create more than 2,700 affordable apartments between St. Thomas and St. Croix.
FEMA Approves $69 Million to Begin Replacement of Tutu Hi-Rise Apartments (Virgin Islands Housing Authority)
2.5.20
From the St. Thomas Source:
The V.I. government and V.I. Housing Authority received a $69 million obligation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund the demolition and replacement of residential buildings at the Tutu Hi-Rise housing community, according to Government House.
The funding will facilitate the demolition and replacement of the first five of 17 residential buildings at Tutu Hi-Rise damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
HUD to Finally Release CDBG-DR Funds to Puerto Rico; Supplemental Funding Bill Introduced in House Appropriations
1.23.20
Last week, HUD announced that it had finalized a grant agreement with Puerto Rico that would release $8.2 billion in CDBG-DR funding that Congress appropriated in 2018. In 2019, HUD ignored a statutory deadline to issue a Federal Register notice outlining how Puerto Rico can use the disaster relief aid in its ongoing recovery efforts.