HBRC has approved new criteria for the allocation of the second round of disaster relief funding, with a total pot of $4 million.
Regional Council is the administrator for the HB Disaster Relief Fund, and a statement this week announced the new funding round criteria.
Contributors to the fund include organisations such as the Red Cross ($1m), Fulton Hogan ($500,000) and Stuff ($950k), which represent larger donations. There were too many donors to list, a council spokesman said.
The new criteria targets those who have experienced significant additional pressure and costs associated with the cyclone, along with wellbeing issues, but who have not had financial support to cover costs. Payouts of up to $10,000 per applicant are available.
Eligibility criteria were initially set to enable a fair distribution to those in need across the region, and ensured the fund wasn’t depleted too quickly, given the initial $1 million that came from Government. Only up to $1,000 was available to individuals in the first round.
Now Trustees have decided a change in eligibility is warranted in order to ensure money gets to those most in need. Chair of the relief fund, and Regional Council chair Hinewai Ormsby said she, along with mayors, felt the new criteria would enable them to provide additional assistance to those with high ongoing needs.
The Fund had previously made payments of over $2 million to about 3,500 applicants in the first round, since 27 March. Due to the generous donations received from individuals and organisations locally and abroad, there was now another $4 million to distribute.
Under the new criteria, each application will need to submit invoices and evidential proof that will be reviewed and approved prior to any reimbursement grants being made.
The current criteria for funding ($1k max for Individuals) will end at 5pm on 5 May, with the new criteria opening for applications on 8 May.
Previous applicants can also reapply for additional support if they have been severely impacted. This second phase of funding is open to individuals and community groups to cover larger costs such as cleaning, clearing and rebuilding.
Larger bulk donations will go to each of HB’s territorial authorities to payout $2000 for every stickered property in Hawke’s Bay. These funds will be allocated based on existing contacts lists.
Applications under the current criteria can be found here: hbrc.info/HBDisasterFund.
Revised application forms will be available on the HBRC website on 8 May.
Public interest journalism funded by New Zealand on Air.