Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart has today announced up to £1 million of new funds from Salford City Council for victims of the recent flooding – to help the hardest hit get their lives back together after the devastating impact of the floods on Boxing Day.
The new council funded Salford Distress Fund will help local people without any means of replacing items such as carpets, basic furniture and white goods (fridges, freezers, washing machines) damaged by the flood.
Applications can also be made to the council for the costs of other accommodation and the cost of buying or hiring de-humidifiers and extra heating to dry out their homes where these costs haven’t been covered by a landlord.
The new distress fund is in addition to the £500 hardship payment which the council has already made to over 600 homes flooded on Boxing Day.
City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “The flood was a financial disaster for local people. Many households affected couldn’t even afford insurance and will certainly struggle to put their lives back together.
“It’s a situation many of us can’t imagine. My heart goes out to everyone who is struggling to regain their lives. In this situation we felt it right that the council should use its financial reserves. The welfare of people in this hard hit community is our highest concern.
“Unfortunately as we have seen in so many other places around Britain, once floodwaters have been inside a home there is no quick solution. It takes time to dry homes and properties out before people can even think about what’s needed to make a home again. The Salford Distress Fund is there for them.
“Anyone who wants to help out can also donate to the distress fund to boost resources available.”
Priority will be given to:
• Households most affected by the floods
• Households with vulnerable people including older and younger people and those with disabilities
• People on low incomes or who have suffered financial hardship as a result of the incident
The fund cannot provide financial support for:
• People who are insured (unless additional essential costs are not covered)
• Items which are the responsibility of the landlord
• Vehicles (other than exceptional circumstances)
Information on all flood support and application forms for the relief fund will be distributed and will also be available on the council’s website at www.salford.gov.uk/floodsupport or from the dedicated Salix Homes flood support centre at RITA Community House, 89 Heath Avenue. The deadline for applications is 29 February 2016.
Donations from the public to the fund can be made to the City Mayor’s office at Salford Civic Centre. Cheques should be made payable to: Salford Distress Fund or paid in at any bank to: Salford Distress Fund Sort code: 20-54-58 and account number: 13227030
