Loebsack’s Statement on the Release of $150 Million for Flood-Damaged Home Buyouts
Washington, DC – November 9, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) issued the following statement on the announcement that $150 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Funds will be made available for the purchase of 1,352 homes damaged due to the floods of last year. In June, Congressman Loebsack spearheaded efforts that garnered $517 million in CDGB funds for Iowa, bringing the total CDBG funds allocated to Iowa to nearly $800 million.
“The road to recovery has been and will be a long process. The purchase of 1,352 homes is a huge step forward, and I would like to thank the entire Iowa delegation for their work to garner these funds for Iowa. From local officials on the ground to community leaders to individual home and business owners, all Iowans have actively partaken in an impressive and committed effort to secure these funds, and they deserve to have them distributed in a timely manner.
“For the many families whose lives have been at a standstill, these buyouts will provide the means to move forward and move on. Iowans will be the first to say that our state now knows the intricacies of the federal disaster recovery process all too well.
“Over the course of a year, we have viewed the disaster recovery process first-hand, and seen the bottlenecks that have impeded our recovery efforts while also noting the many disaster agencies willing to work with us to make the process easier and more efficient.
“As we look to the future, I will continue to work on disaster relief reform. As always, I have been touched and inspired by my fellow Iowans and their commitment to their home. Together, we will rebuild a stronger, better Iowa.”
Contact: Sabrina Siddiqui 202-226-6476
