FINANCIAL INFO: Alliant Energy Flood Relief Program

Alliant Energy is offering qualified customers full replacement value for clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators and freezers. So far, over $300,000 has been committed to replace major appliances in low-income flood-affected homes across the state. The income guidelines for this program follow the federal poverty limits of up to 250%. To apply, call 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211.

FINANCIAL INFO: Take Care When Hiring Contractors for Disaster Repairs

Take extra care when hiring contractors. That is the advice issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to Iowans working to rebuild after this summer’s flooding. People should be especially alert for phone or door-to-door solicitors who hand out flyers and promise to speed up the insurance or building permit process, and those who ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full. Some claim to be ‘FEMA certified,’ when in fact, FEMA neither certifies nor endorses any business for repairs.

Tips for hiring help include:

• Getting a written estimate
• Calling refernces provided
• Asking for proof of insurance
• Obtaining required building permits
• Signing a complete contract with all work clearly defined
• Avoid paying with cash

Report problems with a contractor or fraud to local authorities or the Consumer Protection Division of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 1-888-777-4590, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Consumers also may file a complaint online — and get more consumer tips and information — at www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org.  Complaints may also be directed to FEMA’s Inspector General’s Office at 1-800-323-8603.

HOME INFO: Protect Unattended/Non-Heated Homes This Winter

• Advise the Water Department that your home will not be used or heated in the winter. Plus, ask the Water Department to shut off the water to the structure.
• Drain the water out of the potable water pipes in the home. Where water may be trapped in pipes, you may blow pressurized air through the pipes to force trapped water out.
• Any potable water pipe attached to the outside of the home should be well insulated to prevent freezing.
• Empty all drain traps of water where possible, except floor drains. For floor drains use 50% antifreeze to fill the trap and then insulate to prevent freezing. (NOTE:  Placing 50% antifreeze liquid in the drain prevents sewer gas escape and should help prevent freezing of floor drain pipes.)
• If possible, keep doors and windows shut, especially doors to basement areas.
• Check on the home periodically to determine any needs and to ensure security of the home.
•  In the City of Cedar Rapids, contact the Water Department at (319) 286-5900.

HOME INFO: Disaster Relief Workshop on Nov. 15

Officials from the State Historic Preservation Office and FEMA will offer technical assistance this Saturday, November 15, at a workshop for property owners and local officials who are incorporating historic property considerations into their rebuilding plans.

The Disaster Relief Workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall (lower level) of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Avenue SE. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Individual consultations will take place in St. Paul’s Untied Methodist Church Library beginning at noon.

Representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office and FEMA Region VII will be available to answer questions throughout the day. This workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission at (319) 286-5075.

HOME INFO: Volunteers Have Mucked Out 518 Flooded Homes

 The Volunteer Center, with the help of 153 different volunteer groups, totaling 3,999 volunteers donating 60,209 work hours, has muck out 518 homes in the flood-affected areas of Cedar Rapids. Center volunteers will continue to work on gutting homes through early December. The Volunteer Center field crew (Americorps/VISTA) will be trained to rebuild homes during December and January, including how to insulate, hang, tape and mud drywall, and paint to prepare homes for occupancy. The Volunteer Reception Center has moved to a new location, 220 6th Street NW, but the phone numbers remain the same, (319) 540-4810 or (319) 540-4815.

FINANICAL INFO: Apply for Energy Assistance

Iowa residents may begin applying for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds now. The federal LIHEAP provides dollars to moderate and low income level households to help out with utility bills.

To obtain energy assistance, qualified utility customers can apply for LIHEAP funds anytime between November 3, 2008 and April 15, 2009. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.  For more information on where or how to apply for LIHEAP funds, call (319) 366-7632 or visit http://www.dcaa.iowa.gov  and click on “Bureau of Energy Assistance”.  Eligibility for energy assistance is not based on whether someone is behind on their energy bills or rents versus owning a home.

Applicants must bring these items to the agencies to determine eligibility:

•   Proof of income for all household members 19 years or older for the previous three months
•   Social Security cards for everyone in the household
•   Current energy bill
•   Rent certificate or statement from the landlord confirming whether or not heat is included in rent payments

LIHEAP payments depend upon household size, income level, and home energy costs. The program helps households with incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level pay for home energy costs.  Households may also qualify for crisis assistance benefits, which can include purchase of home heating fuel, reconnection of utility service, temporary shelter, and heating unit replacements or repairs.

PALO INFO: Palo Residents Invited to Spaghetti Dinner

The Palo United Methodist Church, 118 Clinton Street, is hosing a spaghetti dinner on November 22, 2008 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Dine in, carry out, and delivery available. All proceeds go to the Building Fund. Adults $6.00, Children 3-8 $3.00, Under 3 Free.

FINANCIAL INFO: Help in Making Ends Meet

The Iowa State University (ISU) Linn County Extension, with funding help from the City of Cedar Rapids, is offering financial counseling for residents of Linn County who have been affected by the flood.  Families can receive free assistance:

•    To reclaim documents lost in the flood
•    To build a new after-flood family budget
•    To review housing options
•    To link to other community support

This process is completely confidential. You can share as much or as little of your financial information as you feel comfortable with. If you would like to make an appointment or want more information about this service, please contact Christina Barger at (319) 377-9839 or cbarger@iastate.edu.

HOME INFO: Need to Borrow a Tool?

Borrow the tools you need for rebuilding from the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub Tool Lending Library in the lower level of Sharon United Methodist Church, 1809 9th Street SW. The annual membership fee is waived for those with FEMA numbers. To become a member, bring your I.D. and FEMA papers, fill out an application and borrow the tools you need. Call (319) 362-2214 for more information.

The Tool Lending Library is open:

•    Monday through Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
•    Tuesdays, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
•    Saturdays, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

FAMILY INFO: Register for Holiday Food Box & Toy Shop

The Salvation Army, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), Wal-Mart, Toys for Tots and the Cedar Rapids Jaycees are providing special holiday food boxes for low-income households and a Christmas Toy Shop. All households that meet the income guidelines of 185% of the poverty level are eligible to apply for food boxes. Those households with children ages birth to seventeen also qualify for the toy distribution.

Registration is required to participate in these programs. Applications will be available at The Salvation Army, 1000 C Avenue NW, through November 25.  No appointment is necessary. For more information, contact The Salvation Army at (319) 364-9131.

Registration times through November 25

•    Daytime hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. & 1:30-4:00 p.m.
•    Evening hours: Wednesday, November 19, 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Applicants must bring the following to apply:  

• Iowa-issued picture identification card
• Social security cards for each member of the family
• Proof of income (Acceptable documents to verify income include: Social Security statement or letter from the Social Security Administration stating income, 2007 income taxes, pay stubs from the last 30 days, food stamp EBT card, LIHEAP approval letter and/or WIC packet.)

LIBRARY INFO: Cedar Rapids Public Library Update

Free children’s programs:

• Every week, the public library offers children’s story times, often with accompanying crafts & songs. 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays at Westdale Mall, second level, children’s area
• Special eco-art program 10:30 a.m., Thurs., Nov 13: 45-min. program for pre-schoolers featuring George Washington Carver, presented by African American Museum of Iowa at the Westdale Mall children’s library
• Story time at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 3rd Ave SE, 10:30 a.m., Fri., Nov. 21, featuring crafts and story based on Mary GrandPre book illustrations

Free adult programs:

• “Stretching Your Holiday Dollars” 9:30 a.m. & again at noon, Tues., Nov 25, Westdale Mall Community Room on first level near Eddie Bauer    
• Next monthly book discussion, 6 p.m., Wed., Dec. 10. The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg in the adult library section on Westdale Mall’s second level

Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale:

• Fri-Sun., Nov 14-16, Admission $3 on Fri. (5-9 pm) and $2 on Sat. (10 am-6pm) Free on Sunday (Noon-4 pm). Nearly 60,000 books, CDs, videos on sale. Cash only. Bring your own box! Westdale Mall’s first level in former Osco store front near JCPenney’s

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Call 2-1-1 for Flood Recovery Assistance

If you were impacted by the flood, be sure to call the Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline at 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211 to register for funding and assistance from the City of Cedar Rapids and the state and federal government. You will need to have your FEMA registration number handy. After registering through the hotline, a representative will schedule a meeting with you to explain your funding and assistance options.

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Is the City Serving Your Needs?

Rate the City on its customer service performance by completing a survey online at www.cedar-rapids.org, using the “Flood Response: Customer Satisfaction Survey” link, or by calling 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211 to take the survey orally.

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Next Steps in City’s Flood Recovery Planning

• December 2008 – Neighborhood planning process, which will last from early 2009 to summer 2009 will be unveiled
• Late 2008 – Army Corps of Engineers begins its Flood Management Strategy feasibility analysis, projected to take 19 to 24 months, likely to conclude in 2010
• 2009 – Kickoff of multi-family housing construction
• 2009 – Planning and development of City/Community facilities
• 2010-2015 – Community facilities construction
• 2012 – Flood management system construction begins

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Separate Debris in Flood-Affected Residential Neighborhoods

Cedar Rapids residents in all flood-impacted neighborhoods must separate flood-related debris from reconstruction debris due to FEMA regulations. Please segregate debris into the following six piles:

1. Flood-damaged appliances - Fridges, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, freezers, window and central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, dehumidifiers
2. Flood-damaged household hazardous waste - Paints (latex and oil-based), solvents, cleaning solvents, gasoline, oils, pesticides, fertilizers
3. Flood-damaged electronics - Computers, stereos, VCR’s, DVD players, toaster ovens
4. Flood-damaged scrap metal - Pots and pans, shelves, BBQ’s, exercise equipment, patio furniture, chairs, etc.
5. Flood-damaged garbage - furniture, household belongings, damaged drywall, plaster, wood lathing, wood decking, playhouses, kid’s toys, etc.
6. Reconstruction debris - drywall, lumber and flooring scraps, as well as other reconstruction material

Be sure to separate cardboard from this debris. For more information, contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Department at (319) 286-5897.

FAMILY INFO: Foundation 2 Serving Those in Crisis

Foundation 2 offers crisis prevention and intervention programs to people of all ages. Call (319) 362-2174, or 1-800-332-4224, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for help. The agency offers the following services: 

• The Foundation 2 Crisis Center answers the 24-hour crisis line at (319) 362-2174 and 1-800-332-4224 during evening and overnight hours.
• The Foundation 2 After-Hours Food Pantry provides emergency food assistance. Call (319) 362-2174 for an appointment.
• The Foundation 2 Youth Shelter at 3015 12th Ave SW, assists youth and families in crisis.
• Foundation 2 Transitional Living provides housing for youth ages 16-21. Call (319) 368-3376 for more information.