R3

Program Intake
During the application period, the interested parties had four application methods:
• Online at cdbg-dr.pr.gov/r3
• Through the Puerto Rico CDBG-DR mobile application (available for download at Google Play Store)
• Visiting a Center of the R-3 Program, and
• By calling 1-833-234-2324 to make an appointment

The submitted applications were assigned to a case manager based on the location of the damaged property.
Documentation was required to prove the identity and citizenship of all applicants and household members.

Review of Admission Documents
• At the Review of Admission documents, the case managers will confirm that all required documents were provided by the applicants.
• These documents allow the Program to establish eligibility.
• Applicants, who do not submit all required documents for the eligibility determination, will receive a Required Documents Notification.
• With the required documents, case managers can prioritize seniors citizens, people with disabilities, and applicants with significant property damage.

Eligibility Review
As part of the Eligibility Review, the case managers will review all documents to determine if applicants met the eligibility criteria.

The eligibility review includes:
• Income review
• Duplication of Benefits Review (DOB)
• Ownership Review
• Evidence of single-family structure
• Evidence of primary residence
• Evidence of ownership of the hurricane-Impacted property at the moment of the hurricanes Irma and/or Maria
• Evidence of flood cover, if applicable

For details click here.

Applicants who are found eligible will receive an Eligibility Determination Notification.
For those applicants found to be ineligible, an Ineligibility Determination Notification will be issued.
Homeowner applicants who submit non-traditional ownership documentation will be referred to the Title Authorization Program.

Initial Assessment of Property
Following the determination of eligibility, the Program will assign a damage assessor, an environmental inspector, and an appraiser to the case.
Damage Assessors will be responsible for scheduling the date and time with applicants, environmental inspectors, and appraisers, so that all three inspections occur at the same time.

• Damage Assessment: It will determine the amount of damage to property affected by the hurricanes and the estimated cost of the repairs required
• Environmental Review: Environmental inspectors will determine whether a project and its potential environmental impacts meet federal, state, and local environmental standards.
• Appraisal: Appraisers will determine the current market value of the property affected by the hurricanes. Your report will be used in conjunction with the Damage Assessment to determine what type of assistance applicants are eligible for.

Award Coordination
• After the amount to be awarded is determined, case managers will contact applicants, and in addition, a notification with the corresponding award will be issued to the applicant.
• When a repair or reconstruction is awarded, a construction manager will be assigned.
• Construction managers will visit the site where the damage occurred. The final scope of the works will be provided to the Program administrator.
• Applicants will sign all required program agreements and prepare to vacate the hurricane-affected property to begin construction.
• Applicants who receive relocation awards will be required to participate in the Housing Counseling Program.

Design Process and Permits
After determining the type of final work and after the applicant has signed all required Program agreements, the Construction Manager -along with his designer will begin the design and permitting process. All construction documents must be sent to OGPe for review and approval.

Repair or Reconstruction
• The Contractor will get all required OGPe permits.
• The Contractor will complete the repair or reconstruction work in milestone phases.
• Milestone inspections shall be made at the end of each construction phase to ensure that the work is completed in accordance with the agreed scope of work and the requirements of the applicable local codes.
• The Contractor will remedy any deficiencies identified during stage inspections before it can move on to the next stage of construction.
• No progress payment shall be issued to Construction Managers without the proper execution, to the Program’s satisfaction, of a milestone inspection.

Homeowner’s Move
Once all demolition, repair, reconstruction or new construction work has been successfully completed, and the homeowner accepts the work, the applicant may move into the new house.

Administrative Closure
Once all the work has been successfully completed and all documents related to the application are duly archived, the administrative closure of the application will be completed.