SNAP program returns to area for residents in need

Published 12:11 am Friday, May 30, 2014

NATCHEZ — Up to a dozen Natchez residents with leaky roofs, faulty wiring or other damages to their houses could be receiving help from the City of Natchez and local banks.

The city is partnering with Concordia Bank & Trust and Home Bank to apply for money to make repairs to houses of Natchez residents.

The funding would come from the Special Needs Assistance Program of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

Email newsletter signup

The city and the banks have already completed one round of funding this fiscal year and will be pulling applicants from the first round to help this time.

Natchez Community Development Director James Johnston said the SNAP program distributes grants through its local member banks to qualifying residents, including the elderly and/or disabled, for home repairs. Those repairs include replacing a worn roof, repairing or replacing a rotten front porch, replacing faulty wiring and other repairs.

In 2013, Britton & Koontz Bank, now Home Bank, and Concordia banks distributed $96,000 for repairs to the houses of 19 local residents.

Mayor Butch Brown said he is pleased the city and local banks have been successful in assisting residents through the SNAP program.

“There are people in the community who literally cannot afford to make repairs to their homes … so we’re glad this exists,” Brown said.

To qualify for the 2014 SNAP Program, a homeowner must:

• Be 55 years or older or have a person who is handicapped or disabled living in the home.

• Own the house. Homeowners with mortgages are also eligible.

• Live in the house full-time.

• Be located within the Natchez city limits.

• Execute a deed restriction before work is performed to prevent the home from being sold immediately after completion of work. The deed restriction is for five years on a pro-rata basis.

• Meet program income limit requirements, which is 80 percent of median income adjusted for family size.