NATCHEZ — Special needs households in Natchez could benefit from a grant program being sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, city officials said.

The City of Natchez is participating in the 2020 Special Needs Assistance Program sponsored by the FHLB of Dallas to help special needs households make health and safety repairs to their homes.

Since the City of Natchez began participating in the SNAP program in partnership with Concordia Bank and Trust and Home Bank, they have collectively assisted 131 individuals and invested over $640,000 into the community, Natchez Community Development Director James Johnston said.

SNAP worksheets may be picked up at Natchez City Hall on 124 South Pearl Street, adding returned worksheets and required support documents would be received through October.

The program helps special needs households, including people 55 years of age and older, undertake certain home repairs such as replacing a worn roof, electrical and plumbing repairs, ADA upgrades, replacing open flame heaters, etc.

To participate in the program, the participants must have ownership of the home in need of repairs, have primary residence in the home and the home must be located within the city limits of Natchez.

The homeowner will also need to meet the program’s income limits, which are based on household size. For example, a one-person household’s income cannot exceed $27,760.

Homeowner’s will also need to provide a copy of the deed to their homes and be willing to sign a five-year deed restriction.

Incomplete worksheets or failure to submit the required documents may exclude the homeowners from program participation.

In addition, any lien or judgment on a participant’s house must be cured before they are eligible to receive assistance.

Returned worksheets will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, Johnston said, adding approximately 15 to 18 worksheets are expected to be submitted for funding consideration to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas in early to mid-January.