Virgin Islands Property Owners, Your Displaced Fellowmen Need You, And FEMA Is Ready To Pay You

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on all of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the span of two weeks in September, the immediate effects of the storms were overwhelming: No power, no internet, no travel, and an unrelenting concern from family members unaware of the status of their loved ones, were among a myriad of daunting issues.

A lot of Virgin Islanders also either lost their homes or witnessed as the storms badly damaged their properties, leaving many displaced to this day, cramped up in dwellings with friends and family members, and even in shelters, struggling to pickup the pieces and put their lives back together.

That’s where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), comes in. FEMA, which is spending billions of dollars in the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of its disaster relief and recovery mandate, has introduced an initiative called the Direct Lease Program, and has been reaching out to Virgin Islanders territory-wide with properties for rent — including homes, apartments and even studios — and is paying 200 percent above the fair market value, making for an attractive deal.

The rates vary on each island, with St. John seeing the highest rates, followed by St. Thomas and then St. Croix. Nonetheless, with FEMA offering $1,470 a month on St. Croix for a studio apartment, the rates have been a no-brainer for dozens of property owners across the territory, who have already jumped on the opportunity.

According to FEMA, there are currently only 170 displaced residents on its list awaiting housing. However, with property owners territory-wide constantly registering their properties to the Direct Lease Program, the window of opportunity to register your property with FEMA is quickly closing. Below, see the rates that FEMA is offering per island:

Before any property can be approved to participate in the FEMA Direct Lease program, FEMA will conduct inspections to ensure that the property meets a basic criteria, and considered move-in ready.  All units must be safe, sanitary, and functional, to include utilities, appliances and other furnishings.

Units will be assessed to assure that they have working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, functional windows, and at least a fridge and a stove, among other assessment criteria.

To register your property (s) online fill out this application. You can also register by calling 972-863-1537, or by sending an email to [email protected].