Carlos Martinez with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spoke to the Choctaw County Board of Supervisors. He said that the state did not meet the $5 million threshold to be eligible for assistance.
However, there is still assistance available for those who are in need.
Martinez said the Small Business Authority had a base set up in Louisville for anyone who needed assistance. But, those who may have missed the base office for the short period of time it was in Louisville can still receive assistance.
He said Choctaw County could get assistance through two programs: Diasater Assistance Recovery Program or DARP and the Temporary Rental Assistance Program or TRAP. Through these programs, the state would offer up to $250,000 for assistance that would be used to help homeowners repair homes. And the Small Business Agency could offer a loan that could be used to repair a business or a home.
According to the MEMA’s website, “The State’s Disaster Assistance Repair Program (DARP) provides counties with up to $250,000 in increments of $50,000 for building materials to help communities recover following a disaster. Through this program, the State grants funding only for the building materials. The county is then responsible for coordinating with volunteer organizations to provide the labor to repair impacted homes. For a county to qualify for DARP funding, it must have an established Long Term Recovery Committee with an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Additionally, counties are only eligible for the Disaster Assistance Repair Program if they are NOT included in a federally declared disaster.” MEMA’s website states that for TRAP, a state of emergency has to be declared. “To release funds for this program, a State of Emergency by the Governor must be declared. Some of the eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to: Physical damage to the dwelling to the extent that it has been rendered uninhabitable for a period of [more] than three days. and Extended interruption of essential utilities sufficient to constitute a health hazard. Applicants are also required to fill out an application. Additionally, assistance is based on the HUD Fair Market Rental Rates for the area. If approved, assistance will be provided no longer than 90 days. Applicants must agree to a recertification process as well.If an applicant has insurance, they are not eligible for TRAP.”
Martinez said he’s been working with Emergency Management and Civil Defense Director Brent McKnight since the July flood.He said the two programs are similar, using an admin order from the Governor and one that utilizes help from a nonprofit organization.
Earlier, an official with Webster County asked the county if they would be willing to partner with them because Webster County didn’t have a nonprofit organization. He said it had been discussed before but was never acted upon.
“I spoke with Broken Wings and they said they would not willing to take on Webster County,” Chancery Clerk Steve Montgomery said.
“The money would not be given directly to the homeowner,” he said. Martinez said there will a committee formed, called a long-term recovery committee that would assess needs and how much each will receive for repairs.
Martinez said each Supervisor would choose two people that would represent their district. The long-term recovery committee would have an executive board who would make the last decisions. He said the funds are given after an assessment has been made and are private. “Some people may get $3,000, some may get $10,000,” he said.
Martinez said he would walk Choctaw County through every step of the way to make sure they had all the documents they needed, answer all questions, and attend all meetings with the county.
“We’ll be side by side,” he said.
