West Garfield Park residents gathered Tuesday to learn about a new city‑funded disaster relief effort aimed at the families still reeling from the devastating floods of 2023 and 2024. The Disaster Relief Assistance Program (DRAP) will provide eligible Chicagoans with as much as $15,000 to cover rent, mortgage and utility costs that were left uncovered by federal aid.
Program details and eligibility
DRAP is a $15 million initiative financed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online portal managed by the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) until the funds are exhausted.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have lived in Chicago during one of the three flood periods (June 29‑July 2, 2023; September 17‑18, 2023; or July 13‑16, 2024), and have household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Priority will be given to seniors over 60 and to residents of the five zip codes most severely impacted on the West Side.
Local leaders champion the effort
Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward) introduced the program alongside Northwest Center and DFSS officials, urging neighbors to apply. “Our community has been impacted the hardest,” Ervin said. “The bulk of the damage from these floods over the last few years has been right here on the West Side of Chicago.”
Angela Fontes, executive director of Northwest Center, explained that DRAP is designed to fill the gap left by other assistance programs. “If you received help from FEMA or a small‑business loan and still have unmet needs, you remain eligible for DRAP,” she said.
Residents share hopes and concerns
Longtime resident Sanchez Odumburgin, who has been battling lingering mildew and debris since her basement flooded in 2023, expressed cautious optimism. “This is the first program that they seem very sure about, but we will have to wait and see,” she said.
Community organizer Princess Shaw, who has helped clean up flood‑damaged homes, warned that the $15 million may not stretch far enough. “I just hope that once it starts getting depleted, they replenish it, because this $15 million is not enough,” she said.
Mayor’s call to action
Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the crowd, urging anyone affected by the storms to submit an application. “Every resident who applies helps demonstrate the true scale of our community’s need,” he said. “The more people who apply, the stronger our case for additional resources in the coming months.”
State support continues
Governor JB Pritzker also recently requested additional FEMA assistance for eight counties hit by recent tornadoes, high winds and flooding, extending the state disaster proclamation for another month to keep extra resources flowing to impacted neighborhoods.
DRAP represents a concrete step by city and state leaders to address the lingering economic hardship caused by severe weather events, while emphasizing the importance of local families and faith‑based community groups in the recovery process.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
