Money coming for some flood victims in Burlington

Burlington homeowners dealing with flood damage may now be eligible for financial help from a few different sources.

Halton Region has already announced that $1,000 may be available for residents who have flooded basements.

However, if you don’t qualify for the regional money, the City of Burlington says it will give $1,000 to those with flood damage.

Also, Burlington is looking to waive permit fees for anyone who has to undertake extensive renovations to fix their home.

And, $2,000 will be given to residents on Cavendish Drive who experienced flooding due to drainage failures on Highway 407.

A spokesperson for the operators of the 407 ETR (Express Toll Route) told a special meeting of city council today that up to 12 homes may be eligible for the $2,000.

“We express our deepest sympathy to the residents who have been impacted by this flood,” said Christina Basil of the 407. “We recognize for them this will be a long journey before it is back to normal,” she said adding that highway officials will meet with residents who reach out to them.

Basil said some of the money will be given out today (July 19).

“For the 12 homes that were most impacted we have reached out through the councillor to see if anyone needs assistance,” Basil said. “We recognize that families have different situations so we thought it be easiest to offer some financial assistance so the individual homeowners could apply the funds to the area that they needed it the most.”

Meanwhile, according to Halton Region, the $1,000 that it is making available is not automatic.

According to Halton’s website, you may qualify if, after an investigation, it is determined that the wastewater backup was the result of an overloaded sewer, or a blockage occurred on the municipal side of the wastewater system. Residents are responsible for any issue on their side of the property line.

The $1,000 is available for those who qualify to help residents either offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with flood-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.

Residents who sustain property damage from blockages that occur on the private side of the wastewater system and/or blockages that are the result of objects in the drain that originate from the building or private side of the wastewater sewer system are not eligible for the grant.

The procedure to claim that $1,000 that the city will make available (if the Halton claim is turned down) has not yet been determined.

As well, the plan to eliminate the construction permit fee has not yet been developed.