Minot Seeks Breaks for Residents With Flood Repair

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — The city of Minot is asking the federal government to extend the eligibility deadline for a program aimed at helping residents repair homes damaged in the summer 2011 Souris River flood.

The Housing and Urban Development program allows qualified homeowners to be reimbursed for repair expenses during the first year following a flood. But many residents of Minot postponed repair decisions while they waited for the city to finish work on a new flood protection plan.

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven has asked HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan to extend the period of eligibility from one year to three years in Minot's case. That would mean repair expenses would be covered through this coming May.

The city has set aside $5 million in federal grant money for home repair reimbursements.