CHARLESTON, W.Va — The ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government is having an impact on the RISE West Virginia long term flood recovery program.
According to the most recent RISE update from state Adjutant General Jim Hoyer, the shutdown “continues to significantly limit RISE WV’s capability to draw down new federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and begin new projects to include the home demolition work.”
But RISE work is able to continue on projects where contractors have already received initial payment.
Three dozen projects are in the construction process and will not be impacted by the shutdown. The West Virginia National Guard and RISE management teams will continue to work on planning for projects and be ready to go when the shutdown is over and money begins flowing again, the update said.
Appalachia Service Project is also continuing its home construction work as part of RISE. Hoyer’s report said ASP came to Kanawha County for the first time earlier this week beginning work on a stick home construction project in Charleston.
A RISE ASP stick home project in Nicholas County is entering its final phase.
RISE West Virginia was established following the June 2016 flood and was chosen to distribute $150 million in federal funds as part of long term recovery. Gov. Jim Justice appointed Hoyer to jumpstart the program last spring after the federal government classified the state as a slow spender of the funds.
Hoyer received a standing ovation at Wednesday’s state of the state address when he was introduced by Gov. Justice.
Updated numbers released this week include 43 completed cases while 406 homeowner cases remain outstanding.
A breakdown of those cases:
170 cases require total reconstruction, 153 cases require some form of rehabilitation, and 83 cases require new mobile home unit replacement.
Any families who feel they still have any unmet needs or who are looking for an update on their case are urged to contact the new VOAD office over the phone at 304-553-0927 or through email at DisasterRecovery@wv.gov.
A hotline is also available for anyone needing to report fraud with regard to the RISE West Virginia program at 1-866-WVWATCH (1-866-989-2824).