Mississippi Governor Barbour Announces $15 Million For Katrina Recovery Housing Rehab Initiative

May 12, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) today announced a unique low and moderate income housing rehabilitation partnership funded through the state’s $5.4 billion Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund.

“Geared toward those Hurricane Katrina victims who can’t afford to repair or replace their home, this initiative is another example of how our state is using our federally appropriated Katrina recovery dollars to leverage the knowledge and resources of locally based organizations,” Governor Barbour said.

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Funds can be used for home rehabilitation or major reconstruction in the three Coastal counties. The $15 million initiative is part of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s “Coming Home Collaborative.” As the name suggests, this program will empower many people to remain on the Coast and continue living in quality, single-family housing.

“We’re primarily targeting families who need decent housing but who’re unable to revitalize their property given their limited financial resources,” said Gerald Blessey, MDA Gulf Coast Housing Director. “Hurricane Katrina destroyed or virtually destroyed many older family homes which had long ago had their mortgage paid. After Katrina, these families had no means of replacing or doing major repairs to these structures. This program will help families who can’t secure traditional mortgages or construction loans to get back into a good home which meets all the local building codes and safety standards.”

The program, administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, may be used in conjunction with loans and other housing resources for which the owner may qualify. GCCF administered funds may only be used on the recipients existing home sites.

Program casework will be supported through the Gulf Coast’s Housing Resource Centers, located in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties. The Housing Resource Centers will assist in qualifying applicants, as well as providing counseling services necessary to ensure those assisted can maintain their home.

Source: Mississippi Governor