Chicago and Cook County are set to receive a massive financial boost to recover from the devastating floods of 2023 and 2024. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted $670 million to help communities rebuild and prepare for future disasters.
Out of the total, Chicago will receive $426 million, Cook County will get $244 million, and suburban Cicero will receive $96 million. These funds come through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which focuses on supporting low- and middle-income communities hit hardest by natural disasters.
The announcement was made at the Austin Town Hall, with HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary, Marion McFadden, highlighting the importance of these grants. “They are truly the difference-makers for people to be able to financially get back on their feet,” McFadden said.
Impact of Recent Floods
The July 2023 floods were particularly severe, with up to 9 inches of rain falling on parts of Chicago and its suburbs within 24 hours. Thousands of basements were flooded, and one in four homes in Austin suffered severe damage. The flooding continued in July 2024, leaving many families struggling to recover.
More than 63,000 Chicago residents applied for federal flood assistance, leading to $170 million in FEMA payouts. Cook County received a total of $310 million in FEMA support, making this disaster the largest emergency declaration in Illinois history.
Struggles of Residents
Residents like Pleshette Spears, whose basement flooded in both 2023 and 2024, are still dealing with the aftermath. Spears, whose son lived in the basement with his family, said the damage displaced them.
After being quoted $50,000 for repairs, Spears applied for FEMA assistance and received only $8,000 after an appeal. She also applied for a Small Business Administration home loan but was denied. “I’ve run out of resources,” Spears said, adding that she hopes the new funding will provide much-needed relief.
Community Support and Recovery
Volunteer groups like the West Side Long-Term Recovery Group have been stepping in to help. This community-led organization has already cleaned and performed mold remediation in 200 homes. However, with nearly 2,000 homes impacted, there’s still a long way to go.
Founder Jacqueline Reed said the group’s goal is to clean out 1,600 homes by July 2025. She also hopes to hire local residents to expand their efforts and provide more jobs in the neighborhood.
“This funding helps us give people some compensation and keep the recovery going,” Reed said.
Plans for the Funding
The next step is to conduct a needs assessment to determine where the funds should be directed. HUD officials will also train local leaders on how to distribute the money effectively. At least one community meeting will be held to get feedback from residents.
Mayor Brandon Johnson praised the federal government for its support, adding that the city is committed to addressing the root causes of such disasters. “The torrential rains were a symptom of climate change, which we know disproportionately affects our South and West Side communities,” Johnson said.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on how the funds will be used through the city’s official website.
(source : newsbreak.com)
