Financial Housing Assistance for Low-Income Survivors
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Financial Housing Assistance for Low-Income Survivors

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRebuilds.org The Wildfire Damage Housing Relief Account Program assists households of lower income that suffered a loss of housing due to a wildfire. To apply for $6,500 in assistance, applicants must have had damage or loss to their primary residence due to a wildfire and residence is considered uninhabitable unless repaired or replaced. Applicants must…

Some Planning and Permit Fees to be Waived + Retroactive Reimbursement
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Some Planning and Permit Fees to be Waived + Retroactive Reimbursement

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRebuilds.org **Please Read Carefully** The Lane County Board of Commissioners has approved a fee waiver program for Holiday Farm Fire survivors to help people rebuild. The fee waivers will be available for a five-year period to the original owners of dwellings at the time they were destroyed. The fee waivers are also available to…

Upriver Appointments with Building Officials Available
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Upriver Appointments with Building Officials Available

ByTom Atkinson

Holiday Farm Fire survivors are now able to make in-person appointments with Lane County building officials to discuss rebuilding and ask questions about their applications, property or process. Appointments are available on Thursdays at the McKenzie Fire & Rescue Station in Leaburg. You can register for an appointment at www.mckenzierebuilds.org/lmd-upriver-scheduling. Masks are required. More information about rebuilding…

Beware of Fraudulent Contractors
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Beware of Fraudulent Contractors

ByTom Atkinson

Tips: Do your research. Make sure that the contractor is registered with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. To conduct a contractor’s license search visit http://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/ or call 503-378-4621. FEMA does not certify contractors. Don’t wire money or pay with reloadable debit cards or gift cards. There is no legitimate reason to request those forms of…

Vida McKenzie Community Center Fundraiser & Open House
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Vida McKenzie Community Center Fundraiser & Open House

ByTom Atkinson

Show your support for rebuilding the Community Center at their April 10th Open House to be held at the Discovery Center from 1pm to 4pm. View the re-build vision, visit with architect Jesse Elliott, and provide your thoughts. Also sample the pastries and support the Butter Braid fundraiser while you are there, more info on…

McKenzie Rebuilds Resources
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McKenzie Rebuilds Resources

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRebuilds.org Holiday Farm Fire survivors are facing a complicated rebuilding process. While Lane County can’t change state deadlines or requirements, we are working to help people understand the process, increasing the number of planners we have to review and process applications, and putting together opportunities to meet with staff and get questions answered. Commissioner…

McKenzie River Fire Restoration Shed Build Project
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McKenzie River Fire Restoration Shed Build Project

ByTom Atkinson

Students from McKenzie School District will begin working with the Blue River Community to build replacement sheds for those who lost a structure in the devastating Summer 2020 McKenzie River Area fires.  These 8’ X 8’ sheds will be assembled from kits at the school and, upon completion, will be delivered to respective home owners…

The Community Rebuilding Fund
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The Community Rebuilding Fund

ByTom Atkinson

The Community Rebuilding Fund is a collaborative fund administered by Oregon Community Foundation, Ford Family Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust. There is currently $6.5m in this fund with a goal of $10m (this is for statewide fire recovery efforts).  The fund will be distributed in two “tracks”: 1.       Track one: Capacity and response (about 25%) – available…

Rebuilding the Vida McKenzie Community Center
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Rebuilding the Vida McKenzie Community Center

ByTom Atkinson

The Vida McKenzie Community Center (VMCC) was entirely destroyed by the Holiday Farm Fire that swept through the McKenzie River valley in September 2020. The total loss of the VMCC has been yet another heavy blow for the river communities, as it was a hub for many activities such as the cheerful Saturday BINGO nights,…

County Planning & Permit Public Forum – Mon 15th
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County Planning & Permit Public Forum – Mon 15th

ByTom Atkinson

Monday, March 15 – 6:00 PMMcKenzie Schools, New Gym Guests: Lane County Planner & Permit AssociatesLane County Disaster Recovery Manager – Matt McRaeCounty Commissioner – Heather Buch Bring your questions regarding rebuilding, permit fees & new requirements put in place by the county. Please plan on attending and have our voice be heard. Please share this info…