DRAO Announcement
On November 29th, 2024, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced that the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program has been activated for the Little Etobicoke Creek area in response to the July 16th and August 17th and 18th localized flooding events.
Councillor Dasko was instrumental in having the Provincial officials connect with local residents in Ward 1 for inspections, to ensure that a full understanding of the magnitude of the issues in the area were understood. The result of which is that the area has been recognized and included in the program.
Applications for the program will be accepted until the deadline of Monday, March 31, 2025. Homeowners and residential tenants, small owner-operated businesses, and not-for-profit organizations may apply for assistance if they reside in the activation area.
Program guidelines, activation area maps, information sheets, and application forms can be found on the DRAO website.
DRAO is a program that can help with the recovery of costs after a natural disaster. Financial help from the program is limited to $250,000 per application, is subject to a $500 deductible (which may be waived for low-income households), and reimburses up to 90% of your total eligible costs with limits for emergency expenses, household appliances, and furnishings.
The DRAO program does not cover all costs. Eligible applicants may receive assistance for emergency expenses and for repair or replacement of essential property if they do not have insurance—or if their insurance is insufficient—to cover their essential costs according to the DRAO program guidelines. Damage due to sewer-backup is not eligible under the program. An exception is made for low-income households as defined by the guidelines. See details online.
In addition, eligible basement repairs are only allowed to the extent they are returned to a basic and safe state (e.g., stud walls and repairs to essential appliances such as furnaces and hot water heaters). Repairs to furnished basements are ineligible unless there is damage to an essential living space. See details online.
DRAO is a provincial program, and is not related to the various programs and initiatives that the City of Mississauga has undertaken related to localized flooding and flood recovery. Residents who do not reside in the DRAO activation area are still eligible for the other City programs and initiatives.
If you have any questions about the DRAO program, you may contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing program staff at: DisasterAssistance@Ontario.ca.