CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
This week, construction crews completed one final inspection on a mobile home project in Clay County, bringing the total number of completed homes in the RISE West Virginia program to 69.
There are 52 other homes that are in active construction through four different contractors. These contractors have been issued 132 notices to proceed for projects in the RISE West Virginia program, meaning these projects are ready to begin demolition and construction. Of the 52 homes in active construction, 14 are mobile home replacements, 27 are reconstruction projects, four are rehabilitation projects and seven are in demolition.
West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) continued their work on numerous reconstruction and rehabilitation projects this week. The reconstruction project in Kanawha County moved one-step closer to completion as progress on the framing for a porch continued this week. VOAD is also near completion on several other rehabilitation projects throughout the region with four currently under construction and three rehabilitations underway.
Currently, there are 399 active cases covered under the RISE West Virginia Program, an addition of 11 projects this week. The current breakdown by construction type is as follows: 70 homes are complete, 255 cases require total reconstruction, 37 cases require some form of rehabilitation actions, 95 cases require new mobile home replacement, and 12 cases are awaiting initial project type and undergoing the damage assessment process.
Of the total 399 active cases, 360 have been awarded to a construction contractor or sub-recipient, 18 are currently out for bid undergoing the required West Virginia state procurement process, and 21 are awaiting a Request for Quotation (RFQ), or are being analyzed via the case management process by VOAD.
WVVOAD continues to assess all nearly 1,400 cases that had been previously closed out or deemed ineligible through the old case management system. This assessment means that new cases could make their way into the RISE West Virginia program in the coming weeks and months, ensuring that all affected families are put forth on a path toward recovery. This week, VOAD identified 11 additional cases that are eligible for the program, which are already undergoing the initial project type or damage assessment process.
Crews continue to work on the eighth bridge home project this week. There are seven bridges complete and 59 others in the case management process at this time.
The Slum and Blight program is currently awaiting the approval of a Substantial Amendment from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development before demolition can begin. This process can take 30-45 days for approval. The demolition process is expected to begin by Nov. 1, 2019.
Currently, 20 projects are in the asbestos inspection and abatement phase for the Slum and Blight Program. There are an additional 276 projects currently in the Slum and Blight program and 252 projects are ready for the environmental review process. An additional 20 projects are in the case management process pipeline for removal that are considered an “imminent threat" from the county or municipality, meaning those properties pose a threat to the health and safety of the public. These projects will move from the “imminent threat” phase to the environmental review process before demolition can begin. The Slum and Blight program is still accepting applications in all counties affected by the 2016 flood.
Any families who feel they still have any unmet needs or who are looking for an update on their case are urged to contact the new VOAD office over the phone at 304-553-0927 or through email at DisasterRecovery@wv.gov. A hotline is also available for anyone needing to report fraud with regard to the RISE West Virginia program at 1-866-WVWATCH (1-866-989-2824).