More Support for Flood-Affected Manitobans

MORE SUPPORT FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED MANITOBANS

The Manitoba government is expanding flood-protection programs and increasing financial assistance for flood-affected Manitobans.

Financial Assistance – Lake Manitoba

• The province is increasing the total financial assistance available to Manitobans eligible for the Lake Manitoba Financial Assistance Program.
• Under the Lake Manitoba Financial Assistance Program, the maximum payout for permanent homes will increase to $270,000 from $200,000. The province will also fully waive the 10 per cent co-payment if permanent flood proofing is undertaken, which will raise the maximum payout benefits to $300,000. If permanent flood proofing is not undertaken, the co-payment will be maintained at 10 per cent. The $90,000 available for cottage owners to support structural damage costs remains in place.

Financial Assistance – Other Flood-affected Areas

• Under the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) Program, the maximum payout will increase to $240,000 from $200,000. The province will also fully waive the 20 per cent co-payment if permanent flood proofing is undertaken, which will raise the maximum payout benefits to $300,000. If permanent floodproofing is not undertaken, the co-payment will be maintained at 20 per cent. Cottages and recreational property do not qualify for DFA.

Flood-Protection Assistance

• The province is expanding the current coverage for homeowners who undertake permanent flood protection for their homes, businesses or farms, and is extending coverage to cottages.
• The program is for Manitobans affected by flooding this year including those who put up temporary flood protection that saved their homes or cottages. Property owners can now apply to make the protection permanent. The program is provincewide and includes Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg, Dauphin Lake, Oak Lake and other affected properties on rivers and lakes. Permanent flood protection includes building dikes, raising properties or moving residences on properties.
• Homes, businesses and farms will be eligible for up to 86 per cent in government funding for projects up to $100,000 in costs. This means owners will be eligible to receive $86,000 in government funding on projects that cost $100,000. Owners will be responsible for
  14 per cent of costs up to $100,000 and 100 per cent of costs above $100,000.

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• Cottage owners will be eligible for 86 per cent in government funding for projects up to $40,000 in costs. This means owners will be eligible to receive $34,400 in government funding on project that costs $40,000. Owners will be responsible for 14 per cent of costs up to $40,000 and 100 per cent of costs above $40,000. Lake Manitoba residents can also still apply for the funding of up to $20,000 or 90 per cent of the costs of moving or raising homes and cottages in the flood inundation zone.
• In 2011, priority for the program will be given to applicants directly affected by this year’s flooding.

Property Tax Relief

• The $2.5-million program will help families whose properties have been damaged or destroyed by flooding and ensure municipalities maintain a revenue stream to continue running their operations.
• School and municipal taxes for homes and cottages will be covered by the Manitoba government from the time the properties were affected by flooding.
• The payment will be made to the municipality and applied to the account of affected property owners.
• The program is expected to assist over 3,800 properties in 12 municipalities.

For more information about flood financial assistance, flood-protection programs and other information about flooding in Manitoba, see