By Jon Eichner | Interim Director
Construction has resumed on our housing project although at a different pace under restrictions of the pandemic. The territory of the Virgin Islands has experienced 2 lockdowns due ot the COVID Pandemic and is headed into a third.This has resulted in delays in logistisc and permitingg. Permitting office is now open only 2 days a week since March and has put extra delays on an already lenghty process.
We are wrapping up a current project with a Senior called JN. JN had permits in place prior to the Long Term Recovery getting involved but she needed further assistance than what was provided by FEMA post storm. During the permitting process she discovered her home was never built in the correct spot to begin with and was actually built into where the road was supposed to be. JN had to start from scratch but she is a very resilient individual herself and did not give up. Working with the Long Term Recovery Team she had initated construction and began with the pouring of a concrete cistern and slab. The community came together and donated 4 pallets of Concrete Block to construct the walls. Assistance from individuals like yourselves helped the Long Term Recovery Team finish with the labor to build the walls, install windows and doors and pour a strong hurricane proof concrete roof for her to live in. The contractors are waiting on the windows and doors to arrive and we are hoping she will be in her new home by Christmas.
Work has slowed down however the amount of homes and people in need has not changed. The St. John Community Foundation's DIsaster Case management has identified 31 more homes that will not be repaired under any government program. Some of these individuals have had to move on and have left their homes and the islands behind and some are still living in tents.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Programs will provide some releift for these vulnerable seniors but limitation within the grant will not be able to entirely restore the properties or create some quality of life improvement for those that have already been through so much. With your generous donation we can work with the community to make these damaged houses a home again.
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