FEMA: Rebuilding Missouri Requires Long-Term Solutions

Rebuilding the lives of Missouri residents in the aftermath of recent severe storms, flooding and tornadoes will require long-term solutions.

More than $16.2-million has been disbursed to assist disaster survivors with temporary financial housing assistance through the United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. Temporary manufactured homes are also being placed in some areas.

FEMA assists in making a disaster-damaged home safe and sanitary, and fills gaps in insurance coverage. While this helps residents get back on their feet, the need for longer term, permanent solutions remains.

The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and FEMA are coordinating the recovery with city, county and state officials. There are additional federal partners also offering help and they may have longer-term programs that survivors are not aware of.

The United States Small Business Administration, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency and the United States Veterans Administration all have resources that address survivors' permanent needs.

United States Small Business Administration
The SBA has already approved more than $16.9-million in low-interest disaster loans for Missouri homeowners in the aftermath of this year's storms. SBA can offer: Disaster loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace a primary residence, and $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or lost personal property, including automobiles. Interest rates as low as 2.5 percent, with repayment terms up to 30 years.
No survivor is required to take an SBA loan, but completion of the SBA application is key to eligibility for additional FEMA/State disaster assistance.

The SBA also provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc ., may also be eligible. They may be eligible for: Loans up to $2-million, with interest rates as low as 4 percent for businesses (as low as 3 percent for non-profits). These loans may pay for the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Economic injury disaster loans up to $2-million to help meet working capital needs that were caused by the disaster.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD has placed a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration-insured home mortgages in Missouri's disaster-designated counties. The following programs also provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following the recent severe storms, flooding and tornadoes: HUD's Community Block Grant and HOME programs give the state and local communities the flexibility to redirect money to address critical needs, including housing and services for disaster survivors. HUD is working to streamline the programs in order to expedite the repair and replacement of damaged homes. HUD's Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims who have lost their homes and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs. HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase of a home, or refinance a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.

United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency
The USDA's Farm Service Agency has programs that may be available to assist crop and livestock producers recover from physical losses. Producers who have suffered damages or losses due to the recent natural disaster are encouraged to contact their USDA Service Center to learn more about program eligibility.

United States Veterans Administration
The VA has asked lenders to extend "every possible forbearance" to borrowers who are in distress through no fault of their own due to the recent storms. Veterans should contact their insurance company as soon as possible to file claims for losses and follow up with required documentation. At the same time, they need to contact their mortgage companies to let them know their circumstances. VA has information available at its website that provides basic guidance on options veterans should consider following a major disaster at www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans. Veterans may also contact their nearest VA Regional Loan Center at 1-877-827-3702.

Every disaster survivor's situation is different, and securing permanent solutions may require personal research to find the best option.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA disaster loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY call 1-800-462-7585; or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) to call 1-800-621-3362.

Reported by: FEMA

Published on: 2011-06-30

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