Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser released the following statement Wednesday regarding flood relief efforts administered by The Sharing Center in Trevor:
Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser is praising the work of the Sharing Center, which this week awarded $49,000 in grants to 13 families that were affected by the July flooding that devastated portions of the county. These funds were collected from donors to the Western Kenosha County Flood Fund, which the Trevor-based Sharing Center established shortly after the flood event. The grants will be used for repairs needed for families to return a home to safety, or for relocation assistance. “It’s been heartwarming to see how the people of Kenosha County have responded to this catastrophic event,” said Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser. “The way people pitched in – with their time as volunteers, or with their wallets – shows us that Kenosha County residents truly care for one another. And the Sharing Center was there every step of the way, helping people put their lives back together after the floods.” Sharon Pomaville, executive director of the Sharing Center, said the disaster fund was administered by a committee of community members from the flood-affected areas, with members having expertise in disaster response, social service, finance and home construction. The committee determined assistance would be prioritized for occupant homeowners in repairable homes, for relocation assistance to occupants of condemned homes, and for those not receiving significant insurance settlements or loans. Individual grant amounts varied based on applicants’ needs and other factors. All funds were distributed on Monday, Nov. 20. “My thanks to the myriad of community volunteers who supported these families for the last four months,” Pomaville said. “My thanks to those who donated to this fund; it truly made an impact to people still in the midst of repairing their homes. Many recipients asked that I forward their heartfelt thanks.” Flood survivors who were not granted assistance through the Western Kenosha County Flood Fund are urged to watch their mail and local media for information about a state grant that may become available for low- to middle-income families for basic home safety repairs. Those who are in need of appliances, beds, dressers, housewares or clothing as a result of the floods may be able to receive gently used items from the Sharing Center. Please call 262-298-5535 for more information. Other resources that remain available for flood survivors include: — Residents of Kenosha County now have until Jan. 12, 2018, to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Loans are available to cover damage to businesses and homes. This application deadline, which had lapsed here in October, was extended recently because a disaster declaration declared recently for Lake County, Ill., also applies to contiguous counties, including Kenosha. Residents may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applications may also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster or requested by phone at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired) or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. — The Kenosha County Community Development Block Grant Loan Program, which offers zero-interest loans for various home repairs to income-eligible families. Income limits are $39,050 for one-person households, $44,600 for two-person households, $50,750 for three-person households and $55,750 for four-person households. For more information, call 800-552-6330. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office’s Direct Home Loan Program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants who are unable to qualify for traditional financing. Visit https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do to determine if you are within the established income limit based on household size and if the home you wish to purchase or repair is located within an eligible area, or call 715-345-7611 for more information. — The Fox River Flood Mitigation Program acquires floodplain dwellings, which are then demolished. For buyout information, contact the Kenosha County Housing Authority at 262-857-1843. — Land Quest, 4419 Washington Road, Kenosha, has a loan program for people who are over the governmental income requirements. Call 262-658-1400 for more information.