Homeowners Can Apply for 2008 Flood Relief

The has announced that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has made grants available for victims of 2008 flooding.

But with the announcement comes a note of caution from Niles' Assistant Village Manager Steve Vinezeano.  

Earlier: 

"The requirements to qualify are very specific . . . [and] based on everything we know here, likely no one is going to qualify," Vinezeano told Patch.

Despite feeling few to no residents would be eligible for the funds, Vinezeano said the village is doing its due dilligence to raise awareness.

"To request assistance, the village has to submit it on behalf of the resident. If there is someone out there, I hope they would come forward," he said. 

Many of the 2008 victims received aid from two previous county grants, according to Vinezeano. He estimates that roughly 800 residents endured flood damage that year—on par with figures . And while both incidents qualified as 100-year storms—having a one percent chance of occurring—only 2008 was declared a disaster, he added. 

"While Niles had a lot of homes damaged last year, Cook County in general didn't, which is why it wasn't (declared) a disaster," he said. 

Before contacting the village to see if you qualify for the DCEO funds, check out the requirements listed below: 

DCEO Grant Requirements:

• Home must have been damaged by 2008 disaster
• Home must be a single-family unit structure
• Home must be located outside the 100-year plain ( according to Vinezeano only six homes stand in this area near the river)
• Home must have been the homeowner's primary residence
• Homeowner must have been the owner of record at the time of the disaster and continue to be the owner
• Homeowner must have applied for FEMA for disaster assistance in 2008
• Household msut be considered low and moderate Income
• Home must still have a minimum of $10,000 worth of damage

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