Local
Fort Lauderdale flood aid draws 241 applications as $12.4 million remains available
More than three years after historic flooding damaged homes across Fort Lauderdale, just 241 residents have applied for disaster recovery grants. Residents cite fears about home inspections and a demanding paperwork process as barriers.
Fort Lauderdale has $12.4 million in disaster recovery grants available for homeowners affected by the April 2023 floods, but only 241 people had applied since applications opened in May, city officials said.
The storm dropped more than two feet of rain on the city. In the Edgewood neighborhood, floodwaters damaged Anthony O’Gorman’s home, leaving him with about $80,000 in repairs. He said some neighbors hesitate to seek aid because they worry an inspection could expose unpermitted work or lead to higher property taxes or fines.
Rachel Williams, the city’s housing and community development manager, said inspections focus on flood-related damage. Grant funding can also cover permits issued after work is completed and expenses to bring unpermitted repairs up to code, she said, so homeowners do not have to pay those costs out of pocket.
The application process presents another obstacle for some residents. Edgewood homeowner Corrina Montes, who spent $58,000 of her own money on repairs, said she has repeatedly been asked to redo paperwork and obtain documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration. Despite the frustration, she said, she is continuing with the application in hopes of recovering some of her costs.
Residents can find program information and application materials on Fort Lauderdale’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery page: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Services/Housing-Community-Development-and-Homelessness/Community-Development-Block-Grant-Disaster-Recovery.