NATCHEZ &045; How are things going at the new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center? It depends on whom you ask.

Since opening last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC in Natchez has served more than 600 people, according to its manager John Hope.

Agencies present include the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Internal Revenue Service and the Small Business Administration.

So far, many of the visitors came away satisfied.

&8220;They were very helpful,&8221; Sabrina Hammond said.

She was in to talk to the USDA about low-interest loans and grants.

The USDA has income-based loan programs &045;with interest rates ranging from 1 to 5.3 percent &045; as well as grants for those 62 years and older.

Hammond didn’t have much use for the mitigation expert.

&8220;I lost my house, so I can’t clean it up.&8221;

Hammond said she has moved into an apartment in Natchez that FEMA is helping her rent. All things considered, Hammond is doing pretty well.

Her cousin, who came to get information about temporary housing, was less enthused about her visit.

&8220;I’m about to have my baby next week and I still don’t have anywhere to stay,&8221; Tisha Wana said.

She said she wasn’t choosy about location, but that didn’t help. She left the center with a list of phone numbers to call, something she’s been through before from other agencies.

&8220;They told me to call the numbers, so I’ll call the numbers again &045; except they’re not answering the phones,&8221; she said.

Hope, the manager of the DRC, said the center is constantly gathering information about local renting options and passing it along to applicants interested in staying in the area.

Passing the information along to applicants is a supplement &045; not a substitute &045; they are still on the list for trailers and mobile homes.

But the information helps people play a more active role in their own recovery.

Those who can find a rental on their own, like Hammond, often qualify for rental assistance through FEMA.

That assistance can be renewed for up to 18 months.

&8220;If it’s at all possible to house them here with housing that is available in the community and we pay the rent for it, then we try to do that,&8221; Hope said. &8220;A lot of times that works out better for them.&8221;

While a person looks for rental housing locally, Hope said agents in Jackson are working just as hard to find that person housing closer to their home.

Those who feel they have not been helped are welcome to come by the DRC as often as they like.

&8220;Those are the people we want in here,&8221; Hope said.

&8220;FEMA wants them to have a roof over their heads as much as they do.&8221;

The absence of such dissatisfied return visitors leads Hope to believe things are indeed working.

&8220;I think they’d be back pretty quick if it weren’t. The buck stops with us; we’re right here for them to drive in with all their complaints and we’re not getting people back a second time, so it must be working.&8221;

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

An IRS representative is on hand from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Beginning this weekend, the DRC will not be open on Sundays.

People can sign up for FEMA assistance at the center, which is located at 225 Wilson Road in the D.W.H. Inc. building.

Those who have already registered are urged not to do so again as it will slow down the process.