EnVision Tomorrow's Slow Progress: Only 30 Homes Completed in 7 Years
Some 353 homes earmarked for rehabilitation under the EnVIsion Tomorrow program have yet to start as deadlines to utilize federal funds draw closer.
2024-02-29 12:23:59 - VI News Staff
In an update before the Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications on Wednesday, Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien revealed that only “30 homes have been completed” in the 7 years since the program’s launch. To date, 9 homes are under construction, while 227 homes are in “various stages of processing.”
According to Williams-Octalien, “the development and preservation of affordable housing is a critical component of the recovery,” making it “imperative” to make significant inroads in the EnVIsion program. Due to the snail’s pace of progress, Williams-Octalien said ODR spent the past 90 days conducting an “in-depth assessment into the pervasive issues impacting this program."
Among the many challenges to the timely rehabilitation of hurricane-damaged homes is the rise in construction costs that has “invalidated many solicitations.” Delays associated with scoping and design and environmental reviews, as well as a serious difficulty retaining qualified contractors, have created “significant impediments.” Williams-Octalien told the committee that ODR is working to improve “timelines of decisions and communication with homeowners to accelerate the program.”