Flood and Emergency Resources
Major flooding across Vermont in July led to devastating impacts for renters and property owners. Many Vermonters have been displaced. Downstreet has mobilized to rebuild and we are available to help. We know that our communities, already struggling with a shortage of affordable housing, can’t afford to lose safe and stable homes.
If you are a resident and need assistance or to report maintenance issues, please call our maintenance line at (802) 229-6563.
This webpage was updated 8/23/2023.
Disaster Assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared a disaster in nine Vermont counties (more could be added later). Residential property owners and renters can apply for FEMA’s individual assistance—and get help to cover expenses like repairing damage to your home and loss of personal property.
If you have insurance, contact your insurer. You’ll need documentation of what your insurance will and will not cover. It’s important to document the damage to your home or business before you begin cleaning up.
Eligible homeowners and individuals can apply for the Individual and Households Program (which can provide assistance for rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, and lodging) and the Other Needs Assistance Program (which can cover the cost of replacing your essential furnishings and personal belongings) by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or downloading the FEMA App.
It's important to complete the FEMA process first, including the application, inspection, and any appeals you make after receiving FEMA's decision. You could jeopardize your FEMA application if you receive additional funding before completing the full process. The deadline to apply for FEMA help is Thursday, October 12, 2023. Appeals of any FEMA decision must be made within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.
FEMA has several disaster recovery centers open in Vermont. For additional help, see FEMA's guide for navigating its Individual Assistance program and the Figuring Out FEMA Guide.
Homeowner Resources
Financial Assistance:
- Efficiency Vermont offers flood recovery rebates and programs to help replace home heating systems, water heating systems, and other appliances damaged or destroyed by the floods. Learn more at efficiencyvermont.com/flood
- The Barre Community Relief Fund (BCRF) Flood Relief Program seeks to provide financial support to individual households and businesses in Barre City and Barre Town impacted by the July 2023 flooding event
- USDA's Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Vermont
Home Repair and Maintenance:
- Fact Sheet: Basic Home Maintenance
- Mold after a Flood: how to test for mold, protect yourself, and fix a mold problem
- Review the steps you can take to protect your property after a disaster
- SBP's guides, videos, and resources from FEMA and your insurance, avoid contractor fraud, and clean up post-disaster
Legal Issues:
- Common legal and benefits issues after a disaster
Flood Response and Guidance
- Flood resources and guidance from the State of Vermont
- Barre flood updates with important information about the flood response
- VBSR recovery guide for businesses
- Vermont Food Help: If your food has been damaged or you need access to food quickly, you may be eligible for expedited benefits or to have benefit money restored
- Stay Safe in A Flood tips from the Vermont Department of Health (with language translations)
Resident Support Fund
If you’d like to help us rebuild homes, help residents replace belongings and meet basic needs, and otherwise support Downstreet residents impacted by the flood, please consider a donation to Downstreet's Resident Support Fund.
