Bryan sought extension of USVI STEP program deadline

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. asked FEMA on January 16, 2019, to extend the U.S. Virgin Islands Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power, or STEP, program beyond its January 31 performance deadline.

In a letter to FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne, Bryan said the extension would allow repairs to be completed on remaining eligible homes.

The letter said 5,500 homes in the territory had received repairs under the program and 1,700 were still awaiting repair. It said the program was 79% complete, with 480 five-person roofing crews in the territory and another 75 crews expected the following week.

Bryan said completing the remaining repairs before the start of the 2019 hurricane season in June was a reason to extend the program, adding that other federally funded repair programs would take months to begin work.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/gov-bryan-requests-extension-to-usvi-step-program/