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Disaster recovery support center now open in Las Vegas

Disaster recovery support center now open in Las Vegas 

LAS VEGAS — A state run, federally funded recovery center opened today in Las Vegas to help Mora and San Miguel county residents rebuild following the Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon wildfires and floods.

The Building Resiliency Center, funded through a $4.3 million congressional grant administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is run by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). It is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., The center will serve as a one-stop, in-person resource center for residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon wildfires and flooding.

“Recovery is a long process that can be confusing and exhausting for those who are trying to figure out their next steps after a disaster. Our case managers worked with so many residents who weren’t sure where to start when it came to hiring contractors, getting permits, going through the bureaucratic process of just rebuilding their lives,” said DHSEM State Director, Ali Rye. “The BRC and the team that will be here is meant to fill that gap and walk residents through the process from start to finish.”

Residents can visit the center for help with:  

  • Support with permitting process for reconstruction. 
  • One-on-one disaster case management. 
  • Help navigating recovery resources and services. 
  • Support coordinating services across multiple agencies. 
  • Access to information in one central location. 

Since 2022, DHSEM case managers have helped an estimated 2,500 residents navigate the overall recovery process, including gathering documents required by the FEMA Claim’s Office and connections to other resources such as food, housing, firewood, and other needs. DHSEM has also hosted Contractor Connects events, which connect residents who are ready to hire contractors for repairs or rebuilding with licensed contractors who are ready to work. These events have helped more than 200 residents and included more than 20 contractors on average per event.

More information about the BRC and the CDBG-DR grant can be found on DHSEM’s website.