Flood Homes with Hope is a new campaign to connect those affected by the June 2012 Northland Flash Floods with the resources they need to rebuild their homes. The campaign is part of the Regional Long Term Recovery Committee’s efforts, and their local counterparts, to use Disaster Case Managers to help survivors of the flood find the assistance they need and to use donated money and resources to cover unmet needs.

The most basic steps are this:

• Start with your insurance company. While only 5-10% of the damage from the flood is covered by individual insurance, getting a formal insurance denial is important step in accessing other kinds of aid.

• Most people should have applied for a low-cost disaster loan from the SBA. The deadline for these loans was October 15, but contact one of our Disaster Case Managers if you missed the deadline. If you can’t afford a loan, it’s still important to apply because the assessment done by the SBA is required for major forms of state assistance. You can apply at SBA.gov or 800.659.2955 (or 800.877.8339 for those hard of hearing). Less than half of those who apply are grants SBA loans, but the denial opens up other options. The loans are for up to $200,000 of real estate damage and up to $40,000 of personal property damage.

• If you’re a homeowner, the next step is to apply for a state of Minnesota Quickstart loan that covers up to $30,000 of flood-related damage. The loans are completely forgiven if you live in your home for 10 years, and there are no payments until you sell your home or the loan is forgiven. The loan covers damage that’s not covered by an SBA loan or if you are turned down for an SBA loan.  To close your Quick Start loan you will need: Letter of denial or benefits from homeowner’s insurance; letter of denial or partial benefits from SBA; photos of damage; proof of homeowner’s insurance; contractors bids and you need to be current on your mortgage and property taxes.  In Carlton County, Quickstart loans are being administered by Lakes and Pines (320) 679-1800 or Toll Free: (800)832-6082 or http://www.lakesandpines.org. In Duluth, Quickstart loans are being administered by 1Roof Housing. Call (218) 727-5372 or http://www.1roofhousing.org/disaster-recovery-assistance/. In St. Louis County outside of Duluth and in Lake County, Quickstart loans are being administered by Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). Call (800) 662-5711 or (218) 749-2912 or http://www.aeoa.org/housing

• For farmers, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for state flood assistance from farmers severely impacted by record rainfall and flooding in June 2012. Eligible losses may include, but are not limited to, feed and forage damages, damages to buildings or other agricultural structures, agricultural equipment losses, organic and specialty crop losses, and other related farm or ranch damages and expenditures. Expenses for clean-up and debris removal are also eligible. The application form can be found on the MDA website at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/floodgrant.aspx. Applications must be postmarked by October 24, 2012. The applications will be reviewed and audited by MDA staff, with funds expected to be delivered in January.

• There are a variety of other programs approved by the state or created by generous donors, such as money to stop erosion caused by the flood or money available to renters to move and set up in a new apartment if your old apartment was damaged by the flooding.  The Long Term Recovery Committee has hired a network of Disaster Case Managers to help you find the right assistance.

• Call a Disaster Case Manager today at (218) 499-9480 or register for assistance here.