September 13, 2006

eNewsletter from the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal

www.governorbarbour.com/recovery

Katrina One-Year Report

Governor Haley Barbour recently released a report detailing actions and plans the state has undertaken in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The report, “One Year After Katrina: Progress Report on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal”, outlines the state’s efforts and major accomplishments in recovery during the past year. It explains actions taken and funds used to confront recovery problems in categories such as housing, public infrastructure, economic development, human services, public safety, and environmental restoration and natural storm defenses. A discussion of initial efforts and important next steps is also included.

The report can be downloaded from Governor Barbour’s website, www.governorbarbour.com.

Governor’s Recovery Expo

By all accounts, the Governor’s Recovery Expo was a success. The three-day event at Biloxi’s Mississippi Coast Coliseum attracted over 15,000 Mississippi residents. The expo, which was designed as a one-stop shop to meet recovery needs, featured booths from over 140 vendors, 25 model house displays, information and training sessions, and a big giveaway in its final hour.

The coliseum floor was filled with booth displays set up by companies and organizations providing services encompassing all areas of recovery. Representatives from homebuilders, home product manufacturers, recovery organizations, financial institutions, non-profits, and state and federal agencies provided information on their products and services. An extensive Lowe’s display offered presentations on topics such as Katrina cottages and storm-proofing homes. At another exhibit, Federal Emergency Management Agency computers displayed the elevations of homeowners’ property to help them determine how high their homes should be rebuilt to conform to the Advisory Base Flood Elevations.  Several vendors provided free packets containing recovery materials.

Throughout the weekend, information and training sessions were held on the north side of the coliseum. Vendors gave presentations on their products and construction techniques, and state and federal agencies discussed programs regarding income taxes, housing, historic preservation, and employment. In addition, Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal Director Gavin Smith explained different recovery policies the office is advocating, such as a program to replace travel trailers with cottages and using federal funds to rebuild houses in high hazard areas.  

Shuttles outside the coliseum took attendees to “Recoveryville”, a parking lot transformed into an avenue lined with 25 modular housing displays. These homes ranged from small cottages designed for temporary housing to larger homes with three bedrooms. 

Freddie Mac sponsored a giveaway of the Lexington Homes cottage on display at the expo. At the closing of the expo, Suzanne and George Outten were announced the winners of the raffle. The Bay St. Louis residents whose home was destroyed by Katrina were on hand to accept the keys to their new home.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting provided media coverage during the expo, interviewing several state officials including Governor Barbour and ORR Director Gavin Smith. The coverage was subsequently used for an episode of the MPB series “Beyond Katrina.” 

To view photos from the Governor’s Recovery Expo, click here:

http://www.governorbarbour.com/Recovery/expo/index.htm

Grants for Coastal Governments

Since Hurricane Katrina, city and county governments in the most heavily impacted areas have suffered financially during a time of increased need for public services. The widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the Gulf Coast has decimated sales and property tax revenues that are so vital for government operations. Although many cities are benefiting from significantly increased sales tax collections, those communities closest to the point of Katrina’s landfall are experiencing financial shortfalls. Moreover, county governments do not receive a share of sales tax revenue.  

The recent special session of the state legislature provided some much needed assistance to city and county governments on the Coast. The legislature passed a bill proposed by Governor Barbour to make approximately $20 million available to struggling communities. The measure will allow up to $3 million in grants for city and county governments that have lost more than 25 percent of their revenues. 

Low Income and Affordable Housing

Low income and rental housing represented a significant portion of the 70,000 housing units lost to Hurricane Katrina, and the state is currently working on several programs to stimulate housing recovery in these areas. 

Governor Barbour recently announced that over $10 million of housing tax credits awarded by the Mississippi Home Corporation will facilitate construction of 1,006 housing units in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties.

About 95 percent of the 6,000 rental units obliterated by Hurricane Katrina were located in Mississippi’s lower three counties. The $10,057,366 in tax credits will stimulate approximately $104 million in housing development and address the critical housing shortage in the Gulf Coast region. The coastal units funded using this allocation, coupled with the 228 coastal units associated with tax credits awarded in January 2006, will replace 20 percent of the coastal county units destroyed by the hurricane.

For a listing of developments awarded tax credits, click here:

www.governorbarbour.com/Recovery/news/2006/aug/Taxcreditsoncoast.htm

More than 2,500 public housing units in South Mississippi were damaged or destroyed when Hurricane Katrina made landfall nearly one year ago. A state plan to use $100 million to restore these public housing units was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Using funds from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations, Mississippi intends to provide grants to public housing authorities in Biloxi, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, and Long Beach. In addition, the CDBG funding will help to redevelop damaged or destroyed public housing properties in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties.

Mississippi’s CDBG-funded plan will distribute grants to each housing authority based on the proportionate damage done to their respective housing stock. The housing authorities receiving these grants may use the funding to leverage other available resources in developing affordable housing targeting low- and very low-income residents.

The housing authorities may use the grants to rebuild and/or repair units that existed before the storm or to develop new multi-family properties that contain replacement units that target persons or families who earn 60 percent or less of the area’s median income.

Remaining CDBG funds will be used to help homeowners and renters. Phase II of the Homeowners Assistance Program will target low- to moderate-income residents. The state is currently evaluating data and alternatives with HUD to design a program to fit these homeowners’ needs. Additional programs will provide incentives for transitioning to home ownership and develop affordable rental housing using the CDBG allocation.

Grant Opportunities

The Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal is maintaining a document to track grant opportunities from federal, state, non-profit and foundation sources to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The grant matrix can be found at the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal website under the links section (www.governorbarbour.com/recovery/links).

Some of the most recent and relevant grants are from the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission is providing funds through the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program for the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Grant.  These grants can be used for: urban tree replacement; urban tree risk remediation; informational and educational materials; urban tree inventory/assessment. Local units of government, non-profits, and educational institutions are eligible to apply for grants from $1,000-$50,000.  Two deadlines remain to apply for these funds – December 1, 2006 and March 1, 2007.  More detailed information on the eligible uses of these grants can be found at www.mfc.state.ms.us.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is providing funds through the Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program.  This program provides funds to help preserve, restore, develop, and interpret historic courthouses and schools. Grant funds may also be used for projects in Certified Local Government communities involving historic buildings other than courthouses or schools.  The deadline for application of this grant is October 13, 2006. More information about this grant can be found at www.mdah.state.ms.us/admin/news/grants.html#chpg-apps06.

The grant matrix should be used as a valuable reference for local communities.  It will be updated bi-weekly and will list funding opportunities for a wide-range of needs, such as health care, education, infrastructure and the arts.  The matrix details information for each grant, including guidelines, eligible applicants, funding amounts, deadlines and contact information.

Coastal Impact Assistance Program

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is administering the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP), which uses federal allocations for coastal conservation and restoration projects. DMR recently announced that eligible applicants now have until October 16 to submit CIAP proposals.

DMR along with Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties will be developing Mississippi’s Four-Year Plan, which will outline the proposed use of Mississippi’s estimated share of $120 million. Proposed uses will include the acquisition of coastal property for enhancement of public access or preservation, improving water and sewer systems, and improving wetland and aquatic habitats.

For more information on CIAP, click here:

www.dmr.state.ms.us/ciap/ciap.htm

United Way 211 Service

The United Way has implemented a non-emergency help number to help Mississippi residents meet everyday needs or find a place to volunteer their time. Residents can dial 211 to receive information on the following types of services:

• Basic human needs
• Physical and mental health
• Employment supports
• Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities
• Support for children, youth and families
• Volunteer opportunities and donations

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