$5M in additional flood aid funding aims to help impacted West Side homeowners

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Tuesday an additional $5 million in funding to help West Side homeowners affected by last year’s floods.

“I had the flood in 2023, and it left my house in bad shape,” said Mary Crump, among numerous residents on the West Side affected by heavy storms that occurred on July 2, 2023.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: West Side communities recovering from days of severe flooding

Nearly nine inches of rain inundated properties when the city’s sewer system was overwhelmed by the excessive stormwater.

The federal government authorized financial assistance weeks later.

Johnson and the city’s Department of Housing touted the flood assistance repair program. The program aims to assist up to 200 homeowners who experienced substantial damage from flooding. The additional funding complements the $172 million already allocated by FEMA.

“These funds will be used to provide much-needed relief and support for the remediation and restoration of health and safety issues in their homes,” said Lissette Castañeda, Chicago commissioner of DOH.

The new funding will provide eligible homeowners with up to $25,000. No application process is required.

“This investment will help homeowners, primarily seniors, residing in single-family or one-to-two-unit properties on the West Side of Chicago,” Johnson said.

Pastor Chrystal Kyles runs the nonprofit Hope Excel in Austin, where she supports children through school programming, summer camps, and trauma healing. She says the devasting flooding compromised the building where they operate.

“Four feet of water, just like a swimming pool,” Kyles recalled about the damage. “Roof caved in. We lost everything. Came up $400,000 worth of smashes. We lost everything. Nothing was salvageable.”

While she’s happy residents are getting funding, Kyles believes businesses are also in need of aid.

“We need some support too,” she said.

Kyles returned to the building in March after being displaced for about eight months. Still, repairs endure as only the first floor is accessible due to restoration efforts on the second floor. The hope is that construction wraps by year-end, allowing Hope Excel to expand its services to more children.

While Kyles acknowledges the city’s efforts to aid affected residents, she hopes officials can extend financial assistance to business owners and nonprofit organizations that were also drastically impacted.

“If there’s something that they can help us with so we can be back to the business of helping people in the community, send something our way.”

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