'A bit overwhelming': City seeing 100 basement flooding subsidy applications a day
Chris Ensing | CBC News | Posted: September 26, 2017 10:27 AM | Last Updated: September 26, 2017
"We are backlogged, there's no doubt about it," says Windsor's city engineer
Applications are rushing in for the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program after council approved an increase to the subsidy earlier this month.
The additional applications are creating a stress on the system for users who have not decided to use the new fast-track option.
"We are backlogged, there's no doubt about it," said Mark Winterton, Windsor's city engineer. "The applications are pretty fast and furious."
The fast-track application would allow homeowners to start work on installing backflow valves and sump pumps right away.
The other choice for homeowners is to sign up for a courtesy inspection, but they should expect delays because of the increased interest.
"It is quite frankly a bit overwhelming but we're doing our best," said Winterton.
He said that if someone applied for the subsidy program before the record rainfall in August the applicant would be next in line for a courtesy inspection.
Now that person could be looking at a six month wait for a visit from a city inspector.
Winterton said that the city is getting about 100 applications for the subsidy program each day - a big jump for a program that saw just a 7 per cent application rate before this year's flooding.
Rebate timeline unclear
Ward 6 councillor Jo Ann Gignac, whose Riverside neighbourhood saw 1,500 basements impacted during the recent flooding, asked when people can expect to receive their money.
"There is a backlog on the program, similar to the question about timing for a courtesy inspection," said Winterton. "The payments we are trying to fast-track that."
He didn't give a definitive answer on how long a homeowner will have to wait to get their money.
"We were several months behind previously, but we're trying to move that forward to a more reasonable 30 days," said Winterton.