More than 300 lakeshore property owners in Orleans have sought state aid for flooding damage

Photo by Tom Rivers: Members of the National Guard work to set up sandbags by the shoreline in Kendall in May. The high lake levels and punishing waves have taken on a toll on many properties.

A $15 million state fund to provide assistance for lakeshore homeowners with property damage has attracted a lot of interest In Orleans County.

There have been 329 property owners who have pursued the program, said Sue Boss, director for PathStone’s flood relief program in Orleans County. Of those, 25 have received funding and 255 have met the criteria for funds, she said.

The applications for funding are due Sept. 29.

“I think when the dust settles we’ll receive over 400 applications from Orleans County,” Boss said today.

PathStone is administering the program on behalf of the state in Orleans County.

PathStone has made 113 site visits, and held numerous meetings near the lake with property owners. It will have staff available on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PathStone’s Albion Office at 140 N. Main St. This is a chance to accept applications and required documents.

Of the applications submitted, 10 were denied. The state set a threshold for income if the damaged property was a secondary home. If the total annual income of the occupants exceeded $275,000, they weren’t eligible for a grant.

The state has given priority to funding for senior citizens and disabled residents, with higher emphasis given if the projects involved septic systems or flooding in the house. Damage to the shoreline is considered less of a priority, Boss said.

The state capped the grants at $50,000. The Orleans grants are averaging about $30,000 so far.

For more information on the program, click here.