City adds August 4 and 6 storm-recovery sessions, with Red Cross on site weekdays

The City of Ottawa says two more drop-in recovery support sessions for residents affected by the July 1 extreme weather event will run next week, both on the second floor of Ben Franklin Place at 101 Centrepointe Drive. They are Tuesday, August 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Thursday, August 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.

At those sessions residents can get one-on-one help with Compassionate Grant Program applications and questions, Residential Protective Plumbing Program applications and questions, backwater valve permits and related permitting questions, and general legal information to help residents better understand their options.

The City asks anyone seeking application help to review their eligibility first and bring the necessary documentation. General legal information is not legal representation or advice on an individual case, and help with an application does not guarantee eligibility, approval or payment.

Separately, the City says Canadian Red Cross case management teams began virtual and in-person support for affected households on Friday, July 31 and will continue until at least the end of August. In-person support runs Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., also on the second floor of Ben Franklin Place. There is one exception: no support is available on Colonel By Day, Monday, August 3.

The Red Cross can help residents connect with and understand community resources, access information and referrals, and navigate clean-up, repair and rebuilding activities. Help understanding insurance and construction is available through virtual support only.

The City encourages residents to book an appointment by calling 1-800-863-6582 or emailing [email protected], and says walk-in visits are also welcome. It says more opportunities to connect with the Red Cross beyond August will be shared at a later date.

The City says it has held almost 40 combined information hubs and sessions over the past several weeks and met with more than 2,000 residents affected by the July 1 event.