Problems spark change in West Virginia flood housing program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Gov. Jim Justice has named the head of the West Virginia National Guard to oversee a program to help victims of 2016 floods obtain federal housing assistance after complaints of poor management and residents receiving no help.
Justice said at a news conference Monday that James Hoyer, the state Guard's adjutant general, will take control of the RISE West Virginia program from the state Department of Commerce, which had been appointed in 2016 by then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
Justice said he temporarily stopped the flood recovery program earlier this year after it was discovered that a contract change order for $17 million had not been properly vetted.