First of two meetings for landslide-damaged homes held Tuesday in Colorado Springs
St. Paul’s Catholic Church in southwest Colorado Springs was the location Tuesday night for the first of two community meetings for homeowners affected by landslide damage to their homes.
Around 100 people attended the 90-minute meeting.
An undetermined number of homes are damaged or threatened by landslides caused by heavy rain last spring. Many residents face losing their homes and property because insurance doesn’t cover landslide damage.
Officials said many of the victims live in the Broadmoor Bluffs, Rockrimmon and Skyway neighborhoods, but residents in other areas of town also could be affected.
Gordon Brenner, recovery coordinator for the city’s Office of Emergency Management, informed victims about a federal grant program providing an unspecified amount of money that is administered to states, which is in turn used by local governments to buy out homes and property damaged by landslides.
“We want to learn how many people are affected and how many people want to apply,” he said. “The deadline is March 4.”
Brenner said the grant, unfortunately, won’t help every victim or replace all their losses.
“There’s a 75 percent reimbursement,” he said. “But that includes the price of the home before the disaster, plus demolition costs, closing costs and appraisal costs.”
It’s unclear when the money would be distributed.
“We’re still waiting for reimbursement for some of the damage from floods in 2013,” he said. “It’s a lengthy process.”
Brenner said the city is looking for other programs that may help affected homeowners recoup their losses.
An affected homeowner who asked to remain anonymous said he would bring two questions to Tuesday’s meeting.
“Why can’t the city put some money in so that we get all of our losses covered instead of 75 percent?” he said. “They (city) has done it before, so there’s a precedent. And if they’re going to pay to buy property, tear down houses and turn the areas into open space, why can’t they spend a little less to move dirt around and save the homes? Look at all the dirt being moved around at the Cimarron Interchange project. If they can move that much dirt, they should be able to save our homes.”
Another homeowner, whose house is condemned on Zodiac Drive said the financial loss is difficult.
“The whole foundation was cracked. What went through my mind? I’m screwed, you don’t know what’s going on. The ground just broke through,” said William Farkas.
The second community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fire Station 16, 4890 Farthing Drive.
