Following the recent flood devastation in Ontario County, homeowners find themselves entangled in a challenging application process for state-provided financial assistance.
Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a $3 million package to aid eight counties, Ontario included, in offering emergency repair grants to suitable low and moderate-income homeowners. Applications commenced on Aug. 11.
However, Canandaigua resident Tamie Genest tells 13WHAM-TV that the process has been difficult in proving eligibility due to the intricate 33-page application form.
Genest, whose basement suffered severe flooding, had to rely on her flood insurance, which didn’t cover all the damages.
The application reportedly omits reimbursements for immediate necessary repairs, leaving homeowners like Genest in a tough spot. “There’s just no end in sight. You can come back in a year and I think we’ll still be trying to fix this or that or trying to get our finances back in order,” remarked a frustrated Genest.
The Governor’s office disclosed receiving 105 applications from eligible counties thus far.
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