10/28/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin today announced the award of $500,000 from the Governor’s Contingency Fund to the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) to assist in its continued efforts of helping families in Mingo and Wyoming counties recover from previous flooding.
The WVHDF is taking ownership of FEMA manufactured homes currently being used as transitional housing for those who were displaced by storms that caused severe flooding in 2009. More than 55 families affected by the 2009 floods are currently living in the FEMA-owned manufactured homes.
As a result of the transfer, the families will not have to begin paying fair market rent to FEMA on Nov. 15, 2010. The agreement also will allow eligible families to make permanent housing arrangements through the WVHDF.
“An agreement has been reached whereby the WVHDF will assume responsibility for these homes,” said the governor. “Funds from the Contingency Fund will help lessen the financial burden of relocation arrangements for eligible families.”
The WVHDF intends to sell the homes to eligible families at an affordable price on the condition they move to a flood-safe site. Costs for relocating the homes will include moving expenses, insurance, utilities and lot acquisition.
“The Housing Development Fund is pleased to take on this responsibility and assist the families in solving long-term housing problems,” stated Joe W. Hatfield, WVHDF executive director. “We’ve been able to work with FEMA in the past on similar agreements and appreciate the opportunity to help these families secure permanent housing.”
About the West Virginia Housing Development Fund
The West Virginia Housing Development Fund is a public body corporate and governmental instrumentality of the State of West Virginia established to increase the supply of residential housing for persons and families of low- and moderate-income, and to provide construction and permanent mortgage financing to public and private sponsors of such housing.
Since its inception in 1968, WVHDF has sold more than $3.5 billion in tax-exempt bonds to finance nearly 110,000 housing units. The West Virginia Housing Development Fund is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
Contact Information
Jama L. Jarrett
304-558-2000