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What is This?

The Shelter at Home Program enables eligible individuals or families whose homes were damaged in the August flooding to take shelter in their own homes while they rebuild, instead of having to stay in a hotel, rental or mass shelter.

Legal Right of Entry and Indemnification

You will need to sign a Legal Right of Entry and Indemnification Form. What does this mean?

Who Is Eligible?

Single-family owner-occupied properties are eligible for damage remediation designed to make the home safe and habitable for a cost not to exceed $15,000. Remediation work will be performed by contractors hired by the State. The Shelter at Home program allows residents to quickly and safely shelter in their own home. Only properties that are determined to be able to be brought up to the "safe and habitable" standard will be eligible to participate in the program. An Inspector will determine if a home can be made safe and habitable within the funding limitations, for example: if flood waters have not exceeded 24 inches in a home, it is likely the property will be eligible. The program does specify that floodwater amounts higher than that may be inspected and approved on a case-by-case basis.

How Does It Work?

The program evaluates each applicant’s home and, if up to $15,000 of work in that home can create a safe, secure, habitable place for the family to live while they continue their permanent home rebuilding, then that applicant may be eligible for this program. Very basic initial work will include items such as mucking out the house, basic electrical restoration, installing a basic water heater, removing wet wall insulation, and providing up to $500 in basic cooking or refrigerating appliances. This work will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the eligible homeowner. This assistance is independent of and will not affect determination of any Individual Assistance grant from FEMA. These essential emergency cleanup and minor repairs will help families get a jumpstart on their full recovery and live in at least a portion of their home, while they continue to finish the big task of making permanent repairs to their home.

Who Should Apply for This Program?

Many residents are desperately ready to go home, but their homes are not safe and sanitary yet. If you are ready to leave the shelter, rental apartment or hotel room; if you are ready to go home, this is the program for you.

Keep in mind that this program provides the bare minimum necessary to get you back in your home so that you can begin the tasks of rebuilding.

NOTE: You do not have to be registered with FEMA in order to take advantage of this program. All people interested in this program must apply individually (separately from registering with FEMA or SBA or filing a flood insurance claim with NFIP)