LEGISLATORS ASSESS TERRITORY-WIDE DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact DISASTER RECOVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | News | Press Releases | Senator Marise C. James LEGISLATORS ASSESS TERRITORY-WIDE DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS Published: Feb 21, 2025 Search for: LEGISLATORS ASSESS TERRITORY-WIDE DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS ST. CROIX—  The Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning, chaired by Senator Marise C. James, convened at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room to assess the progress of federal disaster assistance grants, infrastructure projects, and housing recovery initiatives. While states like Texas and Florida have experienced faster recoveries, due to their affluent tax base, robust economy and infrastructure as well as strong private public partnerships. Senator James highlighted that the Virgin Islands’ ongoing logistical challenges, socio-economic issues and aged infrastructure have delayed recovery efforts after two Category 5 hurricanes eight years ago. Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR), reported that federal recovery obligations have grown significantly from $8 billion in 2019 to $23.7 billion. However, securing these funds involved lengthy negotiations, and only $3.8 billion has been spent to date. With the current spending rate of $500 million annually, full recovery could take another 20 years. To meet the 2035 deadline, annual expenditures must increase fourfold to $2 billion, requiring greater efficiency and faster project execution. The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program continues to support housing initiatives such as the  EnVision Tomorrow  program, which focuses on rebuilding storm-damaged homes and rental properties. Despite progress, delays related to permitting, applicant responsiveness, and rising construction costs persist. Of the 100 prioritized homes, 43 have been completed, and 101 are under construction. Local contractors have played a key role, securing 100 project awards, with an additional 55 homes slated for construction by March 2025. Beyond  EnVision Tomorrow , $260 million has been allocated for public housing projects, including $15 million for emergency housing and $18.6 million for first-time homebuyer construction in Mount Pleasant (St. Croix) and Fortuna (St. Thomas). To enhance infrastructure project efficiency, the Super Project Management Office (PMO), established in collaboration with Jacobs Solutions Inc., aims to improve coordination, eliminate bottlenecks, and centralize contractor oversight. As a result, infrastructure development has accelerated, with over 1,000 of the 1,900 planned projects completed, 57 shovel-ready, and 85 currently under construction. Additionally, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Executive Director Eugene Jones, Jr. reported that $315 million of the $1.1 billion grant allocation has been utilized, including a $542,000 reimbursement to ODR for mobilization costs and an additional $1.1 million pending release from HUD. In housing, $16.94 million has been disbursed for the Loveland 2 acquisition, and a $67.65 million CDBG Electrical Grid Grant is funding resilience projects across the territory. Lawmakers emphasized the need for urgent action to accelerate spending and expedite project completion. Williams-Octalien stressed that while funding has increased, recovery efforts must intensify to meet the 2035 deadline. Senators present included Marise C. James, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Kurt A. Vialet, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Avery L. Lewis, Hubert L. Frederick, Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Clifford Joseph and Carla J. Joseph. Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan EmAIL: aharrigan@legvi.org Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony concerning the potential and observed public... Read More SENATORS CONSIDER PROPOSED HORSE RACE LEGISLATION IN SPECIAL SESSION  July 22, 2026 Members of the 36th Legislature, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers met in special session by request of the governor to consider Bill No. 36-0313, an act approving lease and franchise agreements for the development and operation of the Randall “Doc”... Read More Quick Links Home Senators Committees Media News Contact Important Links Revised Organic Act of 1954 (PDF) 36th Oath of Office Booklet 100 Day Report Rules of the 36th Public Information or Archives Request Search for: Follow Follow Follow Follow