Depleted wells may be a thing of the past

Because of the severity of the California drought, many wells in the Central Valley have run dry. To help their residents, Kings County officials have requested from the federal government $150,000 in seed money to begin a program known as the Drought Housing Reallocation Assistance Program. The program is designed to help residents – primarily renters – whose wells have run dry.

The program would pay a renter’s deposit for a new housing/rental unit if the wells at their existing home runs dry. If the new housing unit costs more than their existing home, the program would pay the price difference for 12 months.

To qualify for the program, residents must make 120 percent or less of the median household income of $42,784.

“We’re always hoping for more rain, but with this drought looking like a high chance of continuing, we definitely want to be prepared,” Kings Community Action Organization executive director told the Handford Sentinel.

According to county officials, a separate program will be designed for those who do not qualify for the Drought Housing Reallocation Assistance Program. The separate program will allow residents to apply for water tanks on their property.

Both programs are part of state’s ongoing efforts to address the severe impacts of the California drought.