Aubuchon donates $25,000 to support flood relief efforts for mobile home owners

Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott accepted a $25,000 donation from Aubuchon Hardware Monday to support mobile home owners affected by Tropical Storm Irene.
Deputy Housing Commissioner Jennifer Hollar and Lt. Gov. Phil Scott accept the donation
from Aubuchon President and CEO Marcus Moran, Jr.
Marcus Moran, Jr., Aubuchon President and CEO, presented the donation. The funds will support a unique public-private partnership, organized by Lt. Governor Scott and Lawrence Miller, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, which will drastically lower costs of mobile home removal and disposal for many Vermont homeowners.
Mobile homes are more easily damaged by water and can be more difficult to repair, so for many owners of mobile homes impacted by the flood, the best option is literally to dispose of their home and start over. But that can be a very expensive undertaking for low-income families.
Under this plan, the total disposal cost for each individual mobile home owner will be $1,500. Typical disposal costs can run upwards of $3,500, particularly for older units. Lt. Gov. Scott and Secretary Miller secured this reduced cost by requesting bulk pricing proposals from Vermont contracting firms for demolition, sorting, recycling and hauling of homes in the state's dozen mobile home parks affected by the flooding. However, according to Scott, financial help is still needed to make the project a success.
"We wanted to offer a set price for removal of each home, so homeowners would know what to expect and could plan accordingly," Scott explained. "Although we understand that the $1,500 cost will still be difficult for many, we felt that number struck a fair balance between being more affordable for the homeowner and covering the costs for the contractor. But there will definitely be cases where $1,500 doesn't quite pay for the demolition crews. So today's donation from Aubuchon will make a huge difference, and I thank them for their generosity."
"Having a retail presence in Vermont for many decades now and being a member of so many of the local communities hit hardest by flood damage, we feel it is our civic duty to help our neighbors, beyond the products, services and knowledge offered through our retail outlets," said Moran.
Aubuchon's donation went to the Vermont Community Foundation, which has agreed to act as fiscal agent for the mobile home removal project.
Mobile home owners who are interested in learning more about the bulk demolition offer should contact the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity at (802) 660-3455, ext. 204.