Had Previously Pressed Governor to Ensure Homeowners Would Be Prioritized

WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today applauded Governor Dannel Malloy’s announcement that Connecticut homeowners will be prioritized in consideration for federal Hazard Mitigation grants. Earlier this month she sent Malloy a letter urging him to have the Connecticut Interagency Hazard Mitigation Committee reconsider their decision not to award any Hazard Mitigation grant funds to Connecticut residents trying to rebuild from Hurricane Sandy. Today’s announcement ensures that will happen.

“Many Connecticut residents, particularly along our coastline, are still rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy. Communities like Stratford, Milford, West Haven and East Haven were all hard hit and the opportunity to access federal funding for rebuilding and protection against future storms will be a lifeline for homeowners. We cannot prevent storms from occurring, but we can be better protected against them in the future and lessen the costly damage that harms families and neighborhoods.”

The Hazard Mitigation grant program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has traditionally been used for homeowners struggling to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of devastating storms like Hurricane Sandy. However, the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Committee initially allocated all of Connecticut’s $16 million in Hazard Mitigation funds towards infrastructure projects. With today’s announcement, the funds will be allotted as such:

·         $8 million for raising homes

·         $4 million for acquisition and demolition

·         $4 million for infrastructure

Connecticut will receive more funds from the federal government for Hurricane Sandy recovery in the future, including additional funds for infrastructure.