GOV. MALLOY URGES LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE $25 MILLION TO HELP SHORELINE RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR FUTURE SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING

(EAST HAVEN, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to adopt legislation he introduced that will provide an authorization of up to $25 million to support the launch of the Shoreline Resiliency Fund – a low-interest loan program the Governor created late last year

that will help residents who are subject to coastal flooding elevate their homes and flood-proof their businesses.

 

While start-up costs to administer the program were approved in January

, the fund cannot begin helping residents and businesses until it receives financing.

 

“The frequency of severe weather has been increasing, putting homes and businesses near Connecticut’s historic and valued shoreline at risk,” said Governor Malloy, who made the announcement at an event at East Haven’s Cosey Beach, a neighborhood that suffered a significant amount of damage from recent severe weather.  “The Shoreline Resiliency Fund will help residents whose homes and businesses are subject to coastal flooding take a proactive role in preparing for the next storm.”

 

As proposed by Governor Malloy, the Shoreline Resiliency Fund will provide loans of up to $300,000 for 10 years with no principal or interest for one year.  Funds can be used to elevate or flood-proof primary and secondary single homes, one to four unit owner-occupied rentals, and businesses.  There is no income cap for applicants.

 

To be eligible, homeowners and business owners’ structures must be subject to coastal flooding and located in either Zone VE or Coastal Zone AE, as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance Program.

 

“The program is a smart, forward-thinking approach that will help fill the funding gaps left by the many federal disaster recovery programs already available to help homeowners,” said Evonne Klein, Commissioner of the Department of Housing, which administers the Shoreline Resiliency Fund.  “With Governor Malloy’s leadership, we’re assisting homeowners and businesses to recover from the devastation of recent major storms, but we’re also supporting measures to fortify properties against such widespread damage in the future.”

 

Flood-proofing is any combination of structural and non-structural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents. Flood-proofing includes, but is not limited to, ensuring:

 

  • Walls are watertight (substantially impermeable to the passage of water)
  • Structural components can resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy
  • Utilities are protected from flood damage

 

“The recovery and repair effort continues for many families in East Haven and elsewhere along Connecticut’s shoreline,” said State Senator Len Fasano (R-Durham, East Haven, North Haven, Wallingford).  “This program provides an affordable way for qualified homeowners and businesses to elevate their properties, protecting them from drastic insurance premium increases and helping to protect them from future catastrophic weather events.”

 

“The Shoreline Resiliency Fund is the type of aggressive action we need to protect our residents and address the threats associated with extreme weather,” said State Representative Roland Lemar (D-East Haven, New Haven).

Governor asks leaders of Connecticut’s faith community to talk with their congregants this weekend

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman today asked leaders of Connecticut’s faith community to talk with their congregants this weekend, in advance of the final week of open enrollment for Access Health CT.

“Connecticut is leading the nation when it comes to providing residents with affordable health care.  In fact, other states are now beginning conversations on how to adopt our model because of the tremendous work being done by Access Health CT,” said Governor Malloy.  “With the final weekend approaching, I am asking leaders of our faith community to talk with their members about not letting this opportunity pass them by.  Obtaining health care is too important, and the more people that sign up, the better off all of us will be.”
“Access Health CT makes it easy for people to get affordable, quality healthcare coverage,” said Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman. “Beyond the peace of mind that comes with having insurance, stronger families and a healthier workforce benefit everyone in Connecticut—our schools, businesses, and our economy. I urge anyone who is still uninsured to reach out to Access Health CT and learn about their options.”
To date, Access Health has enrolled 165,091 residents since its launch on October 1, 2013.
In a letter to the faith community send in February, Chief Executive Officer of Access Health CT Kevin Counihan said, “With the end of the open enrollment session fast approaching, we want to make sure that every Connecticut resident in need of health care coverage is aware that the deadline to enroll is March 31, 2014. I hope that you will take advantage of one of the many options available to you, such as enrollment fairs and retail stores.”
All consumer support is free, and provided by people who have been trained and certified by Access Health CT.
For a listing of these fairs click here: http://learn.accesshealthct.com/events/
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