Virgin Islands launches HUD-funded Envision Tomorrow housing recovery program

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien and Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Executive Director Daryl Griffith announced on Sept. 18, 2019, that 29 local general contractors had been selected for the Envision Tomorrow Homeowner and Rental Reconstruction and Rehabilitation program.

The HUD-funded program was created to assist homeowners and landlords whose properties were damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Officials said about 1,400 homeowner applicants had applied through the program website or caseworkers at centers on St. Thomas and St. Croix. In the rental program, 99 applicants had applied, representing about 150 units.

Officials said the program was funded by an initial $60 million grant through HUD's Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, with funding that could expand to $200 million. Eligible homeowners could receive up to $250,000 in construction costs if the damaged home was their primary residence and the damage was storm-related.

Landlords of rental units could receive loans of up to $50,000 per unit, with forgiveness possible after 10 to 15 years depending on the number of units, officials said.

Griffith said the HUD program differed from the FEMA-funded Emergency Home Repair Virgin Islands program because contractor invoices would be paid upon approval rather than through a reimbursement structure to local government. Officials said construction was expected to begin within a few weeks after inspections, eligibility determinations and scopes of work were completed.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/administration-launches-hud-funded-envision-tomorrow-housing-and-rental-recovery-program-for-virgin-islands-residents/