CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
This week, construction crews completed six final inspections on three mobile home unit in Clay County, one in Nicholas County, and one in Greenbrier County, and one reconstruction project in Nicholas County, bringing the total number of completed homes in the RISE West Virginia program to 99.
There are currently 72 homes in active construction through four different contractors in the housing program. These contractors have been issued 138 notices to proceed, meaning these projects are ready to begin demolition and construction. Of the 72 homes in active construction, six are mobile home replacements, 57 are reconstruction projects, three are rehabilitation projects and six are in demolition.
There are 396 active cases covered under the RISE West Virginia Program. The current breakdown by construction type is as follows: 99 homes are complete, 234 cases require total reconstruction, 34 cases require some form of rehabilitation actions, 70 cases require new mobile home replacement, and 58 cases are awaiting initial project type and undergoing the damage assessment process.
Of the total 394 active cases, 303 have been awarded to a construction contractor or sub-recipient, none are out to bid, and 91 are awaiting a Request for Quotation (RFQ) or are being analyzed via the case management process by VOAD.
At this time, there are 312 projects in the Slum and Blight program, of which two are in demolition in Clay and Kanawha Counties, 20 are in the asbestos inspection and abatement phase and 19 more are in the case management pipeline for removal that are considered an “imminent threat” from the county or municipality. Five notices to proceed have been issued to contractors meaning these projects are ready for demolition. The Slum and Blight program is still accepting applications in all counties affected by the 2016 flood.
Crews continued to work on the tenth bridge home project this week. There are 60 others in the case management process.
WVVOAD continues to assess cases that had been previously closed out or deemed ineligible through the old case management system. As of Dec. 6, 2019, they have reviewed 575 cases and have an additional 125 cases left to assess. VOAD has identified and reopened more than 60 cases that were deemed ineligible for the program, ensuring that all affected families are put forth on a path toward recovery.
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).