More Than $456 Million in Disaster Assistance Provided to U.S. Virgin Islands
More than $456 million in federal funding has been provided so far to the U.S. Virgin Islands for disaster assistance following the devastation to the region from hurricanes Irma and Maria in September.
More than $456 million in federal funding has been provided so far to the U.S. Virgin Islands for disaster assistance following the devastation to the region from hurricanes Irma and Maria in September.
To date, more than 37,000 Virgin Islanders have registered for disaster assistance, and FEMA has provided almost $46.5 million in household grants to help pay for rental housing, home repairs, and other serious expenses related to disasters.
In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $291.5 million in disaster assistance loans, with more than $265.9 million for home loans for both homeowners and renters and more than $25.6 million for business owners.
More than $118.3 million in federal recovery dollars have been approved for power, public buildings, emergency repair work for roads, and debris removal. More than $4.4 million in public assistance has been obligated for Hurricane Maria throughout the territory and more than $113.9 million for Hurricane Irma.
FEMA Public Assistance grants have provided funding to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for emergency repairs of transmission and distribution lines throughout the islands, the Department of Public Works for debris removal, and reimbursement to other government agencies performing life-safety missions. In the coming months, FEMA Public Assistance will be working with local officials to determine project costs for damage to public buildings and infrastructure.