Gov. Heineman Approves Funds Aimed at Helping Storm Victims Repair Homes

Gov. Heineman Approves Funds Aimed at Helping Storm Victims Repair Homes

Gov. Dave Heineman announced the approval of $369,000 in Emergency Disaster Assistance grant funds to help homeowners affected by the severe storms of May 11 and 12, which dropped record amounts of rain and sizable hail. The funding comes from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Affordable Housing Program and is being distributed to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) of Hastings.

HDC will use grant funds to provide targeted help to qualified homeowners in Hall and Adams counties. Hundreds of homes in Grand Island, Hastings, Kenesaw and Wood River were damaged by May storms.

"As Nebraskans in these areas continue to recover from the effects of recent flooding, wind and hail damage, I am pleased to announce some help for homeowners who need it," Gov. Heineman said. "This grant is not a cure-all and I wish we had more, but along with the federal aid for our streets, roads and bridges, this is a positive step toward rebuilding these communities."

The state emergency grants will be available to help bridge the gap in costs for repairs for homeowners earning at or below the median household income for the county. Thresholds used to qualify for aid will be $38,300 for a one-person household and $54,700 for a four-person household in Adams County; $37,000 for a one-person household and $52,800 for a four-person household in Hall County.

To qualify for up to $10,000 per home, participants must have filed a homeowners' insurance claim for repairs or construction assistance from the storm damage where a portion of a home, such as basement walls, roofs or foundations, requires replacement. The grant program will prioritize the needs of the elderly and disabled for the first three months. Grants will be awarded on a first-approved, first-served basis.

HDC's grant will also allow them to assist the uninsured. Now that FEMA has made its decision on individual aid, additional funds for the uninsured and other homeowners in Hall and Adams counties may be sought, depending on need.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Friday that President George W. Bush had approved Gov. Heineman's request for federal aid to repair public infrastructure in 11 counties, and had approved federal aid to assist with future flood-mitigation projects. Nebraska's congressional delegation wrote letters in support of the Governor's request.

FEMA did not approve an application for individual assistance for home and business owners, citing federal guidelines classifying the damage significant enough for federal aid.

Applications are available at HDC's Hastings and Grand Island offices and more information, is available by contacting HDC at (402) 461-8407.

http://gov.nol.org/news/2005_06/27_funds_for_storm_victims.html