DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR PROGRAM THAT HELPS NAPA COUNTY HOMEOWNERS
REBUILD FROM THE OCTOBER 2017 WILDFIRES
Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Napa, CA
– Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) announced today that a program to help Napa County residents rebuild homes that were lost to the October 2017 wildfires will remain available until at least July 31, 2019. Effective immediately, the Foundation’s program for homeowners will be expanded to provide cash grants to eligible residents who sold their fire lots but are purchasing replacement homes in Napa County. To learn about eligibility criteria or submit an application, homeowners can call (844) 368-1711 toll-free between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time or visit the following website:
https://napavalley.e4erelief.org/Home/Home.aspx
.
“We’re grateful to be in a position to continue to help those who need our assistance” said NVCF President Terence Mulligan, who noted that the Foundation’s approach is to work all phases of a disaster— from immediate assistance to long-term rebuilding. To date, NVCF has assisted 62 fire-impacted homeowners with cash grants of up to $35,000 each to cover underinsured losses, and 47 renters have received cash grants of up to $12,500 each to replace essential household contents.
In the 20 months following the devastating Napa Valley firestorms, NVCF’s Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund has worked with more than two dozen nonprofit organizations to provide relief and recovery services to 15,000 Napa County fire survivors, including temporary shelter, meals, clothing, medical care, legal aid, application assistance, and help navigating insurance claims. So far, $7.8 million has been distributed from the Fund. Of this amount, $5.5 million has been distributed in the form of direct financial assistance to more than 2,400 workers, households and small businesses – who lost homes, personal property or income because of the fires.
“After a disaster, cash aid is paramount but it can’t stand alone” said Mulligan. “People who live through trauma very often need human services in addition to financial assistance.” Among the services still being provided to Napa County residents affected by the fires: mental health therapy, resource and referral, and intensive long-term Disaster Case Management for qualifying residents. On the horizon: a new construction training program for local workers and preparedness activities to help local families be more resilient when the next disaster strikes.
The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund is managed by Napa Valley Community Foundation and was established with a $10 million lead gift from Napa Valley Vintners following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake.
For more information on how to access assistance programs, visit
napavalleycf.org
, or call the Napa Fire Recovery Center at 707.363.8390 or UpValley Family Centers (if you live up Valley) at 707.942.6206.
About Napa Valley Community Foundation
Napa Valley Community Foundation mobilizes resources, inspires giving and provides leadership on vital community issues – like disasters, immigration and housing – to improve the quality of life for all in Napa County. Now celebrating 25 years of service to Napa Valley, NVCF has served as a bridge between philanthropic families and hardworking nonprofit agencies since 1994, bringing people, ideas and resources together to enhance the quality of life in our community. From American Canyon to Calistoga, NVCF has distributed more than $50 million in grants since it was founded, and currently serves as the philanthropic partner to thousands of individuals, families, nonprofit agencies and corporations in Napa Valley and beyond.
