Neighborhood Flood Assistance Program

The Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County today announced the opening of a flood relief assistance program to aid Bucks County residents affected by the severe weather and flash flooding on July 12, 2021. In attendance at the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority in Bristol Wednesday afternoon were Senator Tommy Tomlinson, Rep. Tina Davis, Rep. K.C. Tomlinson, Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen, Bensalem Mayor Joe DiGirolamo, Bucks County Redevelopment Authority Representatives Board President Sean Schaefer and Executive Director Jeff Darwak. The Neighborhood Flood Assistance Program is funded by a $1.75 million grant secured by the lawmakers from the Department of the Community and Economic Development and will be administered by BCRDA. The program’s goal is to offer financial support to those who faced significant property loss or damage and were uninsured or underinsured. Assistance will not be given to landlords, businesses, or non-profit organizations.

The severe flash flood of July 12 most impacted the Lower Bucks County region, with 10 inches of rain falling within a short period of time, resulting in damage to homes and loss of property. Priority consideration will be given to residents of Bensalem, Bristol Borough and Bristol Township and to those who faced catastrophic damage. The maximum grant award is $5,000 and the minimum is $500. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The program guidelines and applications are available on the Redevelopment Authority’s website at this link https://www.bcrda.com/neighborhood-flood-assistance-program-guidelines/.  Paper applications will be provided as necessary. The program is open to homeowners or tenants whose primary residence is located in Bucks County and was damaged by the flooding event of July 12, 2021. Applicants will need to provide proof of property damage and costs incurred not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. Specific information is available on the Redevelopment Authority’s website.

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PRESS RELEASE 9/14/2021 - Dismissals/Suspensions of Six Police Officers Upheld

In June 2020, the Bristol Township Police Department brought disciplinary action against six (6) Police Officers, dismissing two and suspending four (4) others without pay. Two of the Officers accepted their suspensions, while the other four appealed to an Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Grievance procedure agreed to by the Police Union (“PBA”) and the Township.  Click here for the full press release and arbitration award.

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Hurrican Ida Storm: September 1, 2021

FEMA residential inspectors have begun working in the Southeast portion of PA today. We currently do not have a timeline or what counties they are currently working in. As residents register with FEMA, a FEMA contracted inspector will contact them to set up an inspection of their residence. They will be carrying FEMA or a FEMA contractor badgprobably aren’t a FEMA inspector.  Click here to view how to register your disaster assistance with FEMA for the September 1, 2021 storm.

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Presentations from August 24th Council Meeting - Fitch, Washington, Lincoln, Lafayette & Maple Shade School Redevelopment

McGrath Home Builders/CLC Presentation - Click here to view

DH Horton Home Builders Presentation - Click here to view

Maple Shade Development LLC Presentation - Click here to view

Click Here to view August 24th Council Meeting

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$1,000 Flood Disaster Assistance for Bucks County Homeowners

The Bucks County Association of Realtors® was awarded a grant of $200,000 from the National Association of Realtors® Relief Foundation.  This money will help homeowners and temporary renters begin the recovery process with one month of mortgage payment or temporary rental, up to $1,000 per household. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Low-Interest Loans For Flooding Victims Approved

Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, and SBA regulations also permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property, including vehicles. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and other physical losses. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also available and may also be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact, whether or not the business sustained physical damage from the storm.  The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.  Businesses and individuals may immediately obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.  

 

Those who were affected can also apply online or by phone:

 

Virtual DLOC

Open:   Monday – Sunday (7 days/week)

Hours:   8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT Email:     FOCE-Help@sba.gov

Phone: (800) 659-2955

 

Or, online

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s and should apply under SBA declaration # 17054, not for the COVID-19 incident.

 

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications may be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster

 

Alternatively, loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

 

The SBA has created a number of fact sheets to help applicants understand the SBA loan process: 

• The Three Step Process
• FAQ for homeowners and renters
• Fact Sheet for Homeowners and Renters
• Fact Sheet for Businesses of All Sizes

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 27, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is April 29, 2022.

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FEMA National Flood Insurance Maps

FEMA Reclassified Properties in Several Large Areas of Bristol Township for Flood Insurance in 2016. The new maps – also known as digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) –reflect current flood risks. These new maps are available at the Bristol Township Administration Building for Bristol Township. There are several locations to review flood maps.

FEMA Floodplain Map - https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps

Bucks County Floodplain Viewer - https://www.arcgis.com/. Type in your address in the search box on the upper left, and click Floodplains (FEMA) on the layer list on the right.

Click here for a pdf view of the floodplain in Bristol Township.