The government has today (21 September) announced an
extension of the £5,000 grant scheme available to homes and
businesses affected by flooding last winter.
The Property Flood Resilience (PFR) scheme will be extended
by nine months to take into account delays to repair work
and the additional pressures placed on local authorities by
coronavirus. The extension will give homeowners and
businesses more time to carry out repairs and local
authorities a greater period to process the grants.
The new deadline for applications from communities flooded
in November 2019 is now 31 December 2021, while those
flooded in February 2020 have until 1 July 2022.
The grants of up to £5,000 are a contribution towards
making a property more resilient to future flooding, such
as putting in flood doors and raising electrics from ground
level.
The extension aims to provide reassurance to eligible
communities across the country affected by the flooding in
November 2019 and Storms Ciara and Dennis in February 2020,
giving them more time to build back better following the
additional challenges placed on the country due to
coronavirus.
Environment Minister said:
Whilst the pandemic has affected us all, those who
endured the hardship of flooded properties in the weeks
and months ahead of coronavirus bore an even greater
burden than most.
The £5,000 grant enables people to make their homes and
businesses more resilient and better protected from
future flooding. This is about helping them build back
better and greener, while also providing a boost for
local economies.
The PFR scheme is administered through local authorities.
Members of the public should contact their council directly
to access eligibility criteria and the application process
for individual schemes.
Today’s announcement comes after the government recently
unveiled its long-term plan
to tackle the risks of flooding and coastal erosion,
ensuring 336,000 properties in England are better protected
from flooding by 2027 with a record £5.2 billion
investment.
The Environment Agency also published its Flood and Coast
Erosion Risk Management Strategy, a blueprint setting
out how it will work with communities to deliver the
government’s plan.
Flood-hit homes, businesses and charities in communities
with over 25 properties flooded between 08 November and 18
November 2019 and during Storms Ciara and Dennis in
February will be eligible to apply.
