At least 140 flooded renters apply as city aid offer opens

CEDAR RAPIDS - At least 140 renters who lost personal property in the flood of 2008 applied for a new city assistance program Tuesday.

An earlier, similar program targeted homeowners who lost furniture, clothing and other personal property to the high water. But the Renters' Personal Possessions Replacement Program is the first specific offer of aid for those who rented homes or apartments.

Applications for up to $4,000 in assistance began Tuesday at three locations - the Oakhill-Jackson Neighborhood Resource Center at St. Wenceslaus Church, 510 16th Ave. SE; City Hall, 3851 River Ridge Dr. NE; and the Cedar Rapids Neighborhoods Office, 625 First Ave. SE.

Applicants can also find information and apply online at www.Cedar-Rapids.org; a direct link to the program page is http://tinyurl.com/2g6er6c.

Kris Keener lived in a rental home in June of 2008 and was one of those getting an application on the first day of the program. She said almost none of her personal possessions could be saved from the flood, and she can certainly use the help now.

“I could really use the money. You don't even know. After you lose everything, it's really hard,” Keener said.

City officials estimate up to 2,000 people may be eligible for the funding. Unlike homeowners and, eventually, landlords, previous state and federal assistance programs didn't do much for renters. Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett said that's one reason a majority on the council pushed hard to include renters in the city-run assistance programs.

“Most of the (Federal Emergency Management Agency) money was for structure of the house. And so renters, because they didn't own the house, didn't qualify for that FEMA money, “ Corbett said.

Some renters did receive a limited amount of FEMA funding to help them move to new housing after the flood. That amount will be deducted from any funds offered through this new city program - the rules on duplication of benefits still apply.

Renters will have to provide some proof of expenses from replacing possessions, and checking out the eligibility will take some time. The first checks should start going out in January.

Renters have until Feb. 28 to apply for the program. The similar program for homeowners that ran earlier this year drew about 1,800 applicants.