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HomeNewsLocal newsMapp: HUD Grant Will Repair Roads, Homes, Power Infrastructure

Mapp: HUD Grant Will Repair Roads, Homes, Power Infrastructure

Gov. Mapp and HUD Deputy Secretary Pamela Hughes Patenaude (Government House photo)

Gov. Kenneth Mapp said in Washington, D.C. Thursday V.I. roads will be brought up to federal Department of Transportation standards and two new major solar projects will be built with a $243 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Mapp was on a media conference call that included HUD Deputy Secretary Pamela Hughes Patenaude. The grant is part of federal recovery aid to the territory after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Mapp told reporters that some of the projects funded by the grant will begin immediately and residents will soon see the effects of money rolling into the islands.

A press release from HUD said, “The signing of this grant agreement now paves the way to speed recovery dollars needed to restore damaged and destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure.”

Several department heads have complained to V.I. senators that the recovery process is being delayed because the local government must pay for projects first and get reimbursed by the federal government later. This caused problems because many of the agencies have limited budgets. When the Source asked a HUD spokesperson if this would be a problem with latest grant, he replied, “The USVI can draw down on the money as they do the project.”

In addition to money for roads and energy projects Mapp emphasized the grant money will help improve conditions and facilities for the elderly and for those living in public housing.

Over 50 percent of the grant ($125 million) will go to infrastructure.

The Water and Power Authority will get $45 million to improve the power system. Mapp said one solar farm will be built on St. Croix and the other on St. Thomas.

Fifty million dollars will be used as matching funds for federal disaster relief programs to help finance educational facilities, hospitals, telecommunications, transportation, and waste management.

Thirty million dollars will go to other infrastructure repair and hardening in preparation for future storms.

The signed agreement specifies that the rest of the funds will be spent as follows:

Economic Revitalization ($33 million) – A program to invigorate the post-disaster economy, including ($23 million) for ports and airports enhancements, including harbor dredging to allow for larger cruise ships; 2) a workforce development program to train low- and moderate-income residents to fill construction and other jobs ($5 million); and 3) the Tourism Industry Support Program ($5 million), for marketing.

Public and Affordable Housing Development ($32 million) – These funds are targeted for the redevelopment and creation of new affordable housing, including subsidized and mixed-income rental units.

Supportive Housing and Sheltering Programs ($15 million) – The recovery plan includes an effort for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of housing for low-income seniors and homeless people. This program also includes the development of emergency shelters. The emergency shelter housing will also serve as short-term housing for people temporarily displaced.

Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program ($10 million) – This program is available to eligible homeowners for properties that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma or Maria.

New Construction for Home Ownership Opportunity and First Time Home Buyer Assistance ($10 million) – This program is designed to address post-disaster housing affordability challenges and enable renters to become homeowners.

Rental Rehabilitation and Reconstruction ($5 million) – This program provides funds for the repair or replacement of damage to rental housing owned by the V. I. Housing Authority, V. I. Housing Finance Agency, and private landlords.

The grant became available last fall when President Trump signed the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act. The Act appropriated $7.4 billion in funding for major disasters in 2017. In February, HUD allocated $243 million of that appropriation to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The agreement signed Thursday supports a plan approved to put those funds to work.

In April, HUD allocated another $1.6 billion to support recovery in the territory and protect it during future disasters. Plans on how those funds will be spent are expected to be approved before the end of this year.

Mapp also met with U.S. Energy Department Secretary Rick Perry and other officials while in Washington. He returns to the territory Friday.

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