Application period opens for assistance in the reconstruction of homes impacted by the 2020 earthquakes

Starting this Tuesday, thousands of families from the six southern municipalities most impacted by the earthquakes of 2020 will be able to complete their application to benefit from $221 million available through the Housing Department and the Consortium of the South (CONSUR) for the reconstruction of homes with the ReSURge Program.

“It is a great challenge, but we have it on our shoulders, as CONSUR, to make a difference,” he expressed to The new day the mayor of Yauco, Angel Luis “Luigi” Torres Ortiz.

The towns that will be able to benefit from ReSURge are Ponce, Penuelas, Guayanilla, Yauco, Guanica and Lajas. According to Torres Ortiz, more than 6,000 housing units in these municipalities would be impacted by the initiative, subsidized by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The application can be completed online, through the portal resurge.pr.govor by phone, calling (787) 665-7909.

“After the earthquakes, the southern municipalities have been assessing the damage to identify and quantify homes, support affected families and estimate losses. In that sense, municipal administrations are in a unique position to understand the needs of affected communities.”highlighted, for his part, the Secretary of Housing, William Rodriguez.

In written statements, Housing detailed that the priority will be people aged 65 or older and those with disabilities whose property has significant damage. Meanwhile, the mayor of Yauco added – separately – that The maximum award for home reconstruction will be $215,000 and homes requiring repairs for minor damage will receive up to $60,000. In case of relocation, vouchers of up to $200,000 will be awarded.

“For those who do not have the opportunity (to access) the portal, the six municipalities have a coordinator in their Federal Funds Offices who will assist the public who wishes to fill out in person,” said Torres Ortiz, who led the federal government call for the creation of CONSUR.

Among the requirements to participate in the program, Housing explained that applicants must be “very low or moderate” income families and have occupied the property as their main residence at the time of the earthquakes. Additionally, they must own the property and have evidence of ownership or “have a proprietary interest in the affected structure.”

Each of the six municipalities will hold an orientation event for their residents, starting with Yauco this Tuesday, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Teatro Ideal.

The other orientation activities will be the Wednesday, October 18, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, at the Convention Center, Penuelasand from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, at the Juan E. Lluch indoor court, in Slabs; he Thursday, October 19, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at the Ensenada Puerto Rican Club Guanica; and the Friday, October 20, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, in the community center of the Playa de neighborhood Guayanillaand from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Salvador Dijols Coliseum, in Ponce.

The service centers located in each participating municipality are the following:

Yauco

Office of Federal Programs

65th Infantry Street #12

Yauco, Puerto Rico 00698

Guanica

Municipality of Guanica

(Artisan tourist kiosks)

Highway PR-333, Km. 0.3

Guanica, Puerto Rico 00653

Guayanilla

Office of Federal Programs

Luis Munoz Rivera Street #182

Guayanilla, Puerto Rico 00656

Slabs

Citizen Assistance Office

(Arturo Grand Pardo School)

San Blas Street #37

Lajas, Puerto Rico 00667

Ponce

Secretariat of Housing and Socioeconomic Development

2105 PR163 Plazoleta Las Americas Shopping Center

Ave. Las Americas

Ponce, Puerto Rico 00717

Penuelas

Mayor’s Office of Penuelas

Municipal Clerk’s Office

Pedro Velazquez Diaz Street #383

Penuelas, Puerto Rico 00624