Community NewsMississauga

Ontario Activates Flood Recovery Assistance for Mississauga Residents

MISSISSAUGA – Residents of Mississauga affected by this summer’s severe flooding can now access financial assistance through the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. The provincial initiative, announced by the Government of Ontario and the City of Mississauga, aims to support individuals and businesses recovering from damage caused by flooding along Little Etobicoke Creek.

The program, activated by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, is available to homeowners, tenants, small businesses, and non-profits located in designated flood-affected areas. Applications will be accepted until Monday, March 31, 2025.

DRAO Program Details

Eligible applicants may receive up to $250,000 to cover recovery costs not covered by insurance, with reimbursement for up to 90% of eligible expenses. A $500 deductible applies but can be waived for low-income households. Assistance covers emergency expenses, essential property repairs, and replacement of damaged appliances and furnishings. However, damages caused by sewer backup are not included unless the applicant qualifies as a low-income household.

Maps of activation areas, program guidelines, and application forms are available on the DRAO website. For further details, residents can contact program staff at DisasterAssistance@Ontario.ca.

City of Mississauga’s Additional Relief Programs

The City of Mississauga has also launched its own initiatives to help residents recover from the flooding. Starting December 2, 2024, residents can apply for the Residential Compassionate Flood Relief Grant, which offers a one-time payment of $1,000 to affected property owners and tenants who experienced basement flooding.

Two other programs are set to roll out in early 2025:

  • The Basement Flooding Prevention Rebate Program, offering rebates of up to $6,800 for flood prevention improvements.
  • The Flood Resilience Rebate Program, covering 50% of invoiced costs up to $3,000 for measures to minimize future flood impacts.

Details on these initiatives can be found on the City’s website at mississauga.ca/flood.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish’s Statement

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish expressed gratitude for the provincial government’s support. “We appreciate the financial support provided by the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to assist residents affected by this summer’s flooding. This is something we have been asking for since the flooding this summer,” Parrish said.

The Mayor emphasized the importance of collaboration across all levels of government to bolster community resilience. “Many Mississauga residents and businesses are still working to repair damage to their homes and properties. It’s crucial that all levels of government collaborate to strengthen our communities’ resilience and support those impacted by such events,” she added.

A Long Road to Recovery

The financial support comes as welcome relief to many residents still grappling with the aftermath of this summer’s severe weather. As applications open for provincial and city programs, Mississauga residents now have more avenues to rebuild and protect their homes against future flooding events.

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