United Way is still helping Ivan, Dennis victims
By Pamela Holt Special to the News

At least 30 more families will see help in repairing damages incurred from Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis from The United Way of Santa Rosa County (UWSR). UWSR received additional emergency repair funds from Santa Rosa County.

The additional dollars allow the agency to continue on its two-year mission for disaster relief assistance for Santa Rosa County residents.

Stirling Boomhower, Administrative Coordinator for UWSR, says residents who sustained damage in Ivan and Dennis can apply for a grant which would assist in the hiring of contractors to complete the repairs needed.

Remarkably, says Boomhower, at least 20 percent of Santa Rosa County's population still has some type of damage from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.

"Even if their damage isn't major, they are vulnerable for the next season," he explains.

Boomhower says the grant application process is income document based, and "there are a number of requirements to be met for approval."

Once residents are approved, says Boomhower, the repairs are considered a "forgivable" loan. There is neither payment nor interest accrued on the funding.

All applications will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boomhower says residents who've exhausted insurance returns should still apply for the grant.

"If they have documentation on the amount received and what they have used the insurance money for, something may be able to be worked out," says Boomhower.

He says the 2004 hurricane season left Santa Rosa County second in the state for homes lost, right behind Charlotte County.