Current:Home > Stocks2 Vermont communities devastated by summer flooding seek $3.5M to elevate homes for victims -×
2 Vermont communities devastated by summer flooding seek $3.5M to elevate homes for victims
View
Date:2025-04-12 16:56:36
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Two of the Vermont communities hardest hit by last summer’s catastrophic flooding have requested $3.5 million in state funding to elevate 20 homes in Barre and the capital city of Montpelier for flood victims who still need safe places to live as the state grapples with a housing crisis.
Many whose homes were significantly damaged or lost are still recovering and saving houses is far cheaper than building new ones, they said at a Statehouse news conference.
“This is an urgent request. These are people living— many — in places that are not completely safe but they have nowhere else to go,” said Barre City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro. And those who are seeking a government buyout won’t know anytime soon if that will happen, officials said.
“We have folks that are living in dangerous situations who cannot wait that long,” said Montpelier City Manager Bill Frasier.
One Montpelier woman lives in a flood-damaged 1870s farmhouse with her two children, said City Council member Lauren Hierl.
“After the flood they had nowhere to go. They have been living with no floors, no walls. She’s been cooking on a grill that entire time,” Hierl said.
The woman has spent at least $40,000 toward the work of drying out and demolding the house, she said. She’s added insulation and subfloors, and no longer has a bathroom on the first floor. If a buyout happens, the bank owns the home so she and her children will be homeless, Hierl said.
“Every day she and her kids get up wondering if they will still have a home,” she said.
The ask comes during a tight budget year and city officials said they are grateful for the help they have already received. A spokesman for Republican Gov. Phil Scott did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
The July flooding only exacerbated Vermont’s housing crisis and elevating homes is a cost-effective way to keep people in them and in Vermont, officials said.
“It turns out that there are safe ways to rebuild even in flood planes,” said Vermont state Sen. Anne Watson, who previously served as mayor of Montpelier. ”And part of that means elevating buildings or homes. That is what this money would be used for and as far as we can be preserving housing I think we need to be moving in that direction.”
veryGood! (5)
Related
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- 'Super Models' doc reveals disdain for Crawford's mole, Evangelista's ‘deep depression’
- Why Oprah Winfrey Wants to Remove “Shame” Around Ozempic Conversation
- Cheryl Burke Weighs in on Adrian Peterson's Controversial Dancing With the Stars Casting
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Fishmongers found a rare blue lobster. Instead of selling it, they found a place it could live a happy life
- Pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood to be prosecution witness in Georgia election case
- Gas buildup can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Here's how to deal with it.
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Biden administration announces $600M to produce COVID tests and will reopen website to order them
Ranking
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Democrats want federal voting rights bill ahead of 2024 elections
- Biden creates New Deal-style American Climate Corps using executive power
- Man dead after attack by swarm of bees at his home, Kentucky coroner says
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Police arrest second teen in Vegas hit-and-run of police chief after viral video captures moment
- Ohio police response to child’s explicit photos sparks backlash and criticism over potential charges
- Stock market today: Asian shares track Wall Street’s slump after Fed says rates may stay high in ’24
Recommendation
Bodycam footage shows high
'Robotic' Bears quarterback Justin Fields says he hasn't been playing like himself
Under pressure over border, Biden admin grants protection to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans
There have been attempts to censor more than 1,900 library book titles so far in 2023
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Chinese officials voice faith in economy and keep interest rates steady as forecasts darken
$100M men Kane and Bellingham give good value to Bayern and Madrid in Champions League debut wins
Based on a true story