March 25, 2008
Phase II – Housing Needs Assistance Program
Program Ends on March 15th, 2008
Phase II is designed to help low to moderate income homeowners, whose homes were damaged by the storm surge, but were not eligible for Phase I of the homeowner grant program. The homeowners can qualify regardless of whether they were uninsured or under-insured and regardless of whether their homes were inside or outside the flood plain.
Guidelines
Homeowners who fit the following guidelines are asked to register for Phase II:
1. You owned and occupied your home as your primary residence on August 29, 2005
2. Your home was located in Harrison, Hancock, Jackson or Pearl River Counties
3. Your home received flood surge damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina
4. Your household income is at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
Homeowners receiving Phase II assistance will be required to demonstrate the commitment to follow through on certain actions in exchange for compensation. They must sign a legally binding document, which provides for the following:
1. Homeowner will maintain recommended structure and flood insurance.
2. The home they own and occupy meets the applicable building codes and local ordinances.
3. When rebuilding, the home they own and occupy complies with FEMA guidance for base flood elevations.
4. If the home is manufactured housing, it will comply with HUD’s manufactured housing code and be elevated in accordance with FEMA advisory flood levels.
5. Any homeowner that fails to meet all of these terms and conditions may be required to repay all or a prorated portion of the financial assistance provided through this program.
Special Needs
Grant awards for homeowners who meet the criteria for special needs will be calculated at 100% of the Uncompensated Damage. Those who meet the following criteria may be eligible for special needs assistance:
* Elderly – Age 65 or over as of grant closing date.
OR
* Disabled – any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one of more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment as defined by the Social Security Administration.
OR
* Household income at or below 60% of AMI.
How To Register
Homeowners who registered for Phase I, but were not eligible, are automatically registered for Phase II.
Homeowners do not need an appointment to register for Phase II. To register your Housing Needs for Phase II, visit one of the following Service Centers:
Grant Service Centers
Jackson County Service Center
Singing River Mall
2800 US Highway 90
Suite 1146
Gautier, MS 39553 Monday – Friday
10am – 6pm
Harrison County Service Center
Prime Outlets – Gulfport
10000 Factory Shops Blvd
Suite 110
Gulfport, MS 39505 Monday – Friday
10am – 6pm
Hancock County Service Center
3068 Longfellow Drive
Building 6A
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Total number of families approved and total dollars funded to families
Applications Received 8,176
Applications Rolled Over From Phase I 4,286
Percent of Damage Assessments Completed 97%
Percent of Initial Title Work Completed 93%
Applications Approved 4,740
Closing Packages Distributed 4,363
Completed Closing Packages Received 3,940
Grants Paid 3,502
Dollar Value of Grants Paid $246,533,772
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