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JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Homeowners who experienced damage as a result of the devastating wildfires that swept across southern Oregon in 2020 can soon apply to ReOregon’s Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) which will open next month.
Providing financial assistance to homeowners to repair, rebuild, or replace homes lost in the 2020 Labor Day Disasters, HARP calculates money to be distributed by taking into account eligible damage, benefits already received, and the original square footage of the property. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) are working with its community partners- such as Jackson County Community Long-Term Recovery Group (JCC LTRG), to help applicants through the application process.
Related: Oregon State Grant Is Being Made Available To Eligible Fire Victims Of The 2020 Labor Day Fires
While the grant is open to residents in Jackson, Douglas, Klamath, Clackamas, Lane, Marion, and Lincoln counties, the JCC LTRG is specifically assisting residents in Jackson County to access and apply for the grant. The executive director of JCC LTRG, Caryn Wheeler Clay, said that this outreach is based on the needs they’ve seen in the community.
Because 57 percent of the county’s survivor households speak Spanish they want to make sure residents can access the information, especially those who have limited access to internet technology. Wheeler Clay said, “The survivor is working on the recovery. We are on the side of the track, giving them the time to ensure that they can reach the finish line.”
2020 Oregon Wildfires Damage
By the end of July 2020, it was established that 90% of Oregon’s wildfires had been caused by humans. This compares poorly with the yearly average of 70% and it has been speculated that this is due to increased outdoor recreation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The unusually high winds combined with continued dry weather early in September 2020 then caused multiple wildfires to expand rapidly across Oregon, burning more than 1,000,000 acres. With around 500,000 people in evacuation warning areas, about 40,000 people were evacuated.
The 2020 Oregon wildfire season has been recognized as the most destructive on record in the state of Oregon. Although it is part of the 2020 Western United States wildfire season, in Oregon during this season the fires killed at least 11 people, burned more than 400,000 ha (1,000,000 acres) of land, and destroyed several thousands of homes in its wake.
Where To Apply For Oregon Wildfire Grant
Opening in March, more information on the grant application can be accessed as follows:
Subscribe to get updates at the OHCS website.
Jackson County assistance for residents email [email protected].
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