STARKVILLE — In 1990, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development established the HOME program in an effort to assist those living in rural communities or small towns that might not otherwise have access to HUD assistance.
The program provides help in reconstruction and rehabilitation of homes whose owners lack the funds to do the work themselves.
But the funding for the program, which operates in 40 states, including Mississippi, has been cut in half since 2010.
On Monday, the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors learned of the impact of those cuts.
“I wish I had better news for you today,” Phylis Benson of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District told supervisors during their regular board meeting. “Right now, you’re not going to be eligible for this program.”
Benson said the state received just $2.7 million for HOME statewide, and other changes in how the funds were distributed also worked against Oktibbeha County’s efforts. In the past, low-income homeowners in both Oktibbeha and Lowndes counties have used the program to rehabilitate their homes.
“The program has changed dramatically,” Benson said. “The funding is down and that’s made getting these projects highly competitive.”
District 4 Supervisors Bricklee Miller asked if those affected by recent storms might qualify for the program.
“After this last storm, there were some people who did not have any insurance and had severe roof damage,” Miller said. “Wouldn’t they be eligible for this help?”
“That would be an option, but the application process has changed,” Benson said. “It’s all very black and white now. There are seven rating factors and a point system is in place to determine eligibility. You must score at least 170 out of a possible 232 points. We sat down and rated your project. We can only get to 120 points.”
Benson said the formula is heavily weighted to provide funds in the poorest areas of the state. She said that worked against Oktibbeha County.
“Your low-to-moderate income population is not allowing you to get the maximum number of points you need,” she said. “Looking at the map provided to us, the ratings are built to benefit those in the Delta.”
The deadline for submitting an application is Aug. 16, Benson said.
“Right now, I just don’t see you being able to apply,” she said.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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