The Province is out with more details on how it plans to help homeowners devastated by June's massive flood.
The Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) will help bring homes back to a "basic level of finish." Premium features like hardwood floors, or custom cabinets won't be covered, but vinyl floors, and basic finishes will be.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths says that people in the floodway-the most disaster prone area- are being encouraged to move away. If they don't move, and don't want to follow the province outline of upgrades that must be performed, Griffiths says they will have to take a risk on the future.
“They will have a notation put on their land titles that says they are in a flood way, and a second one that says they received Disaster Recovery Program in 2013 and are ineligible going forward,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths adds the province will work with those that chose to leave.
“Whether or not we purchase their lot or piece of property in the flood way, or if we do an exchange of properties, it will depend on where they’re going to locate and we’ll try to find them some equitable value lot to where their house was located.”
Those who chose to stay will be given a checklist of must-have features to prevent future flood damage. The province will tack on up to 15 percent more funding per home to help pay for them.
A warning from the government though: those who don’t install the required mitigation measures won't be eligible for flood recovery funding in the future. (MS/KC)
