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Flood Recovery & Buyout Process Resource Center

 For volunteer matching, call UW  Volunteer Ctr at (319) 337-8657 or consult our contact information. 

E-Subscribe to Flood Recovery  Updates (click here)

Update: 11/13/08: "Flood Update" memo from Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney.

Update: 11/13/08: "Update - Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy" memo to Council from Planning & Public Works Directors

Update: 11/13/08: "HMGP Buyout Update" memo from David Purdy

Update: 10/31/08: Copy of letter mailed to all Jumpstart/CDBG applicants

Update 10/23/08:  Process is underway to notify Jumpstart applicants of results of their application for funding.

Supplemental CDBG Flood Recovery Funding Process Begins (posted 10/17/08; updated 11/13/08)
Applications are available to apply for Supplemental CDBG Flood Recovery Funding. If you have already applied for “Jumpstart” funding you do not need to submit another application.

Applications will be accepted until the Supplemental CDBG funds are depleted. Applications are available at City Hall, Planning Department, 401 E. Washington St, Iowa City. Applications are also available on this webpage  - reference the "Jumpstart/CDBG Flood Recovery" box below. Questions regarding the application process or other flood recovery issues can be directed to Nasseem Moradi, Flood Recovery (319) 356-5479 or recovery@iowa-city.org.

To be eligible for this funding, flood impacted residents must have registered for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go to www.fema.gov to register. The FEMA registration deadline was October 31, 2008.

CDBG Flood recovery funds and levels of assistance are based on federal guidelines. The applicant must:
1. Be the owner of record and have occupied the home as their primary residence during the flood of 2008;
2. Must be at or under 100% of the median income for the City of Iowa City: Single = $50,800; 2 person household = $58,000; 3 person household = $65,300; 4 person household = $72,600; 5 person household = $78,400; 6 person household = $84,200; 7 person household = $90,000; 8 person household = $95,800.

(learn more)

At its October 6, 2008, work session, the City Council discussed how to rank the applicants for Jumpstart and CDBG assistance. City Council directed staff to use the system based on weighting criteria that has been employed for many years in making decisions about who will receive CDBG assistance for rehabilitation and home repair. The City's weighting criteria are: elderly, disabled, large family, medium family, and single parent household.

Memo from City Attorney re: Jumpstart/CDBG Weighting Criteria (11-5-08)

Jumpstart Applicant List (weighted rankings) (rev. 11-13-08)

Change address or other contact information?  Be sure to let us know at recovery@iowa-city.org  so we can keep your information up to date.

Iowa City Flood Recovery Updates
(posted 9/29/08): Mortgage Counseling Service Available.  For residents having difficulty paying their mortgages on flood damaged properties, the State of Iowa is encouraging homeowners to call the Iowa Mortgage Help (IMH) Hotline at 877-622-4866. An IMH counselor will gather basic data and will refer callers’ cases to one of 12 Iowa counseling agencies. The certified counselors will gather more in-depth financial information and may contact the loan servicer to negotiate a payment schedule depending on each homeowner’s situation.  learn more 

(posted 9/15/08): The City submitted the Notice of Interest (NOI) buyout application to the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management office on September 12, 2008. Within two months from the date of submission of the NOI, the City will be invited to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. It may take another six months after the submission of the HMGP application before the City will know which properties qualify for buyout funds.

The City Council has determined that the neighborhoods of Park View Terrace, Idyllwild, Taft Speedway and Showers Addition should be included in the NOI. Please keep in mind that the buyout program is completely voluntary and you can change your mind up until the date of deed transfer, which may be many months away. It is also important to note that there is no guarantee that the City will be awarded funds to acquire properties or that, if awarded, all property owners, who express interest in being bought out, will be bought out.

View Iowa City's Notice of Interest Buyout Application

Announcements

Iowa Valley Habitat implements Flood Recovery Grant Program (9/4/08)

Documents

City Manager Memo to Council: Summary of 10-6-08 work session; HMGP Update (10/16/08)

Jumpstart Checklist (9/29/2008)

City Attorney's memo to City Council: Buyout/Purchase Price/Duplication of benefits (8/20/2008)

Frequently Asked Questions (8/6/2008)

Voluntary Flood Buyout Map (10/24/2008)

Newsletter "Update" (9/3/08) Includes info on e-subscriptions; winterizing; demolition; flood insurance #'s.

Buyout Questionnaire  (please submit only once; call 319-356-5250 if you wish to change anything on your prior submission.  Nothing you state on this questionnaire is a legal binding commitment at this time.)

FEMA Documents

Buyout Information (posted 9/2/08) 

Contact Information

Recovery/Buyout Information:

Nasseem Moradi, City Hall, Level 2
Planning Department
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
319.356.5479    FAX: 319.356.5217
recovery@iowa-city.org

David Purdy, City Hall, Level 2
Planning Department
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA  52240
319.356-5489  FAX:  319.356.5217
david-purdy@iowa-city.org

City Water Service/Quality Information: (319) 356-5166 (24-hours).
Questions about City Sewer Service: (319) 356-5170 (regular business hours M-F) OR (319) 356-5177 (nights/weekends)
City of Iowa City Building Inspection  (319) 356-5120
Flood Assessment Information
This is a link to view specific property information with regard to the flood event.  The information will be updated as inspections occur and additional assessments are made. (Source: City of Iowa City Housing & Building Inspection Dept.

MidAmerican Energy: (888) 427-5632 [answered 24/7]

Resource Links:

• Rebuild Iowa website: http://www.rio.iowa.gov/
• Midwest Flood Recovery and Response US GSA
• Inundaciones en la zona central de EE.UU.: respuesta y recuperación
• FEMA
  1-866-274-4392
• American Red Cross
  (319) 393-3500 or 1-866-438-4636
• Want to volunteer or need volunteer assistance? Call United Way 319-337-8657 (8:30am -5:00pm M-F; 10:00am-2:00pm weekends) 
  United Way Flood Relief Fund
  (319) 338-7823
• Crisis Center - for financial and emotional support
  (319) 351-0140
• Midwest Flood Response & Recovery
• Iowa City Public Library Flood Info
• Johnson County Emergency Management
• State of Iowa Flood 2008