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Board approves $519,414 allocation to United Way for disaster relief; partners plan volunteer-built 'Hope Village' homes
Summary
Supervisors authorized a Memorandum of Understanding and transferred $519,414.21 to a United Way-managed disaster relief fund to support storm victims; staff said Mennonite Disaster Service and volunteers will build about 12 replacement homes in a clustered 'Hope Village' approach starting in January.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Way of Southwest Virginia and authorized the transfer of $519,414.21 to a United Way-managed disaster relief fund to support rebuilding and housing assistance for storm-affected households.
County staff described how United Way distributed a larger regional pool of donations across 14 jurisdictions and how Washington County’s allocation will be used to support rebuilding and relocation inside the county. Staff noted United Way raised roughly $2.2 million regionally and has prioritized Damascus and other heavily affected areas.
After the funding motion, staff showed an edited video and explained a planned partnership with Mennonite Disaster Service and other volunteer organizations to construct approximately 12 replacement homes in January. The county described a “Hope Village”-style plan aimed at preserving neighborhood ties by relocating families within Washington County rather than requiring them to move away.
County staff said the rebuild team includes experienced volunteer builders, an architect (Tom Crabtree), and local building services staff who will coordinate land identification, site preparation and construction. The county emphasized the project will be locally managed in cooperation with nonprofits and that the board’s allocation is intended to help get volunteer rebuilds underway quickly.
The board approved the MOU and the $519,414.21 allocation by unanimous vote.
