The application portal for the LeeCares Hurricane Ian Housing Recovery Program opened on Feb. 1. Lee County and its partners are ramping up outreach to increase awareness and assist residents impacted by the storm.

LeeCares outreach includes community events and presentations, door-to-door contact, and in-person case managers at various locations. Funding for the LeeCares housing program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocation to address the disaster recovery needs of residents affected by Ian.

There are three programs for which individuals can apply:

– The Housing Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Elevation program may assist income-eligible property owners to repair, replace and/or elevate property that suffered hurricane damage.

– The Home Purchase Assistance may assist income-eligible home buyers to purchase a qualifying primary residence outside of the flood zone in Lee County.

– The Voluntary Residential Acquisition program may assist income-eligible homeowners of a repetitive loss property relocate outside of flood-prone areas in Lee County.

To view a full list of eligibility requirements and documents needed to apply, visit www.leeflcares.com. Questions can be emailed to leecares@leegov.com. Individuals also can call 239-382-5453.

Once an application is submitted, individuals will be assigned a designated LeeCares case manager to provide updates. If an application is approved, the funding is a grant — not a loan — and does not need to be repaid if applicants comply with the terms of the grant.

In partnership with Harry Chapin Food Bank and Lee County Libraries, LeeCares intake staff will be available at upcoming food distribution events to help individuals with the application process:

– Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at 7101 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers

– Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at 2980 Edison Ave., Fort Myers

– Feb. 19 and 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at 10346 Pennsylvania Ave., Bonita Springs

Residents can also apply in person at the following locations:

– Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LeeCares Outreach Center, at 9400 Gladiolus Drive, Suite 270, Fort Myers

– Mondays (Feb. 12, 19 and 26) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City of Fort Myers, at 1825 Hendry St., Fort Myers

– Tuesdays (Feb. 13, 20 and 27) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, at 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

– Wednesdays (today, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14, 21 and 28) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pine Island Library, at 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia

– Thursdays (Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City of Bonita Springs, at 9101 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs

– Fridays (Feb. 9, 16 and 23) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Town of Fort Myers Beach, at 2731 Oak St., Fort Myers Beach

– Saturdays (Feb. 10, 17 and 24) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Northwest Regional Library, at 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral

LeeCares is distributing information via the U.S. Postal Service. Mailers will be sent to residents who may be eligible in Bokeelia, Matlacha, St. James City, Sanibel, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs.

With coordination through county’s Floodplain Management division, separate mailers also were sent to individuals that may be specifically eligible for the Voluntary Residential Acquisition program.

For additional outreach information, visit https://www.leeflcares.com/pages/outreach.

Comprehensive and detailed information about the county’s CDBG-DR Action Plan, program allocations, activities and expenditures, is available at https://cdbgdr.leegov.com.