The LeeCares Hurricane Ian Housing Recovery Program has officially opened its application portal as of February 1. The outreach efforts of LeeCares encompass a variety of channels, including community events, presentations, door-to-door interactions, and the presence of in-person case managers at different locations.
Funding for the housing program is made possible through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery, allocated to Lee County to address the recovery needs of residents affected by Hurricane Ian.
The program offers three avenues for individuals to apply. The Housing Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Elevation initiative may aid income-eligible property owners in repairing, replacing, and/or elevating properties damaged by the hurricane. The Home Purchase Assistance program is designed to help income-eligible home buyers acquire a qualifying primary residence outside of the flood zone in Lee County. The Voluntary Residential Acquisition program is available to assist income-eligible homeowners of repetitive loss properties in relocating outside of flood-prone areas in Lee County.
For a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and necessary documents, you can click here. Questions can be directed to leecares@leegov.com, or individuals can call 239-382-5453.
Upon submission of an application, individuals will be assigned a dedicated LeeCares case manager for updates. If approved, the funding is in the form of a grant, not a loan, and does not require repayment as long as applicants adhere to the grant’s terms.
To facilitate the application process, LeeCares intake staff, in collaboration with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Lee County Libraries, will be available at upcoming food distribution events on specific dates and locations.
Residents can also apply in person at designated locations, with varying operating hours throughout the week. Additionally, LeeCares is conducting door-to-door outreach efforts and distributing information via the U.S. Postal Service, with mailers sent to potentially eligible residents in various areas.
LeeCares is committed to supporting hurricane-affected individuals, and its outreach staff, easily recognizable with the LeeCares logo on their shirts, will continue door-to-door efforts throughout February in specific areas.
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