EnVision Tomorrow's Slow Progress: Only 30 Homes Completed in 7 Years

Some 353 homes earmarked for rehabilitation under the EnVIsion Tomorrow program have yet to start as deadlines to utilize federal funds draw closer.

In an update before the Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications on Wednesday, Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien revealed that only “30 homes have been completed” in the 7 years since the program’s launch. To date, 9 homes are under construction, while 227 homes are in “various stages of processing.”

According to Williams-Octalien, “the development and preservation of affordable housing is a critical component of the recovery,” making it “imperative” to make significant inroads in the EnVIsion program. Due to the snail’s pace of progress, Williams-Octalien said ODR spent the past 90 days conducting an “in-depth assessment into the pervasive issues impacting this program."

Among the many challenges to the timely rehabilitation of hurricane-damaged homes is the rise in construction costs that has “invalidated many solicitations.” Delays associated with scoping and design and environmental reviews, as well as a serious difficulty retaining qualified contractors, have created “significant impediments.” Williams-Octalien told the committee that ODR is working to improve “timelines of decisions and communication with homeowners to accelerate the program.”