The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to support residents impacted by Hurricane Fiona. As part of the $30 million allocated to the Hurricane Fiona Financial Assistance Program, additional steps are being taken to support residents with reimbursements for necessities, as well as support with temporary housing for impacted residents.

Health and Safety Reimbursements
On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, $250,000 has been provided to the Canadian Red Cross to administer for the reimbursement of immediate needs and necessary items related to the health and safety of residents, purchased within the first month after Hurricane Fiona. For information about the eligible items, please see the backgrounder below.

The deadline to apply for the program is Friday, November 18, 2022. Receipts must be provided and reimbursement is up to a maximum of $2,500 per household.

To access this funding, residents need to contact the Canadian Red Cross. Starting Saturday, October 29, residents can call the toll free number 1-800-863-6582, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. NST to make an appointment.

Temporary Housing Supports
The Provincial Government is offering financial assistance and accommodation supports to help transition eligible households from emergency accommodations into temporary longer-term housing as the region continues to recover from Hurricane Fiona.

There is no application required, however impacted residents must be registered with the Canadian Red Cross and have completed a housing intake assessment with the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development. A representative from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will be in contact with these residents regarding the available supports.

Supports include:

• $1,000 per household per month for those who continue to live in private accommodations with family, friends or other community members.
• Up to $1,000 per household per month to assist in covering the cost of a rental accommodation.
• Assistance in identifying a rental accommodation from a list of available rental properties in the region.
• In the event a household cannot find private or rental accommodation, a leased accommodation may be arranged by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation from a licensed establishment in the hospitality industry.

Guidance will also be provided to assist impacted households establish tenant/landlord lease agreements as applicable.

These assistance programs are in addition to the funding that has been distributed to those who have been displaced or evacuated, and have either returned home or are not yet able to return home. To date, almost $1.8 million has been dispersed to people from that fund.

For additional information on Hurricane Fiona relief efforts, please visit https://pattern-loop.live/jps/hurricanefionarelief/%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E

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Media contact
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Health and Safety Reimbursements

To be eligible for funding, households must:

• Register with the Canadian Red Cross;
• Ensure the reimbursements pertain to their primary residence that was impacted by Hurricane Fiona; and
• Provide receipts/invoices dated between September 24, 2022 and October 31, 2022.

Support for health and safety needs of impacted residents

Health

• Medical devices and aids (i.e., CPAP, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.)
• Health care supplies (i.e., eyeglasses, dentures, etc.)

Safety

• Personal Protective Equipment (i.e., work uniform, boots, gloves)
• Car Seat
• Stroller

Support for homeowners with minor damage for repairs, remediation, clean-up and replacement

Household Appliances – Must be for primary use of household

• Washer/Dryer
• Refrigerator/Freezer

Clean-up, remediation, minor repairs

• Debris Removal
  • Contractor costs, gas, equipment rental or purchase
• Tree removal
  • Contractor costs, gas, equipment rental or purchase
• Interior cleaning: Water/mold remediation
  • Contractor cost, home inspection cost, professional cleaning, supplies
• Minor repairs to essential home structures such as shingles, siding, windows, and doors

Please note, a household’s own labour is not eligible for reimbursement.