Application crush expected in Gulfport for home repair grants of up to $25,000

Nancy Evans is one of many Gulfport homeowners anxious to file applications for grants of up to $25,000 for home repairs.

Evans and others have waited years for the city to reopen the housing rehab program for lower-income homeowners. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for critical home repairs and accessibility, but the city didn’t allocate any funds for the home repair program for about 10 years.

Pre-applications will open at 9 a.m. Monday online. Only the first 50 applications will be processed, in the order they are received, to determine eligibility. Eligible residents will then be contacted for next steps.

The city says it has only $780,000 for two programs: grants and zero-interest loans for home repairs being one of them. The other program provides loans for rehabilitation of rental units.

Evans previously filled out an application, but the city, waiting on HUD approval, did not process those applications.

How to apply for home repairs

Evans and others who applied are now faced with doing so again. HUD only recently approved the city’s plan, according to an email the city sent the Sun Herald.

The city planned to take applications only through an online portal, but some senior citizens, including Evans, are not familiar enough with computers to feel comfortable applying online. The city is now referring those who need assistance to the Gulfport Public Library at 1708 25th Ave. A librarian said help will be available from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday.

Evans is hoping she can get a grant to install gutters around her roofline, address cracks in her foundation and complete other repairs. She’s been waiting six years for the program to be offered, she said, and started going to City Council meetings to learn when funding might come. She found out recently at her church that the grants would be available.

The city says it will post a notice once pre-applications are closed. Those approved to continue with applications will be notified, but there will be a wait time.

“If invited to fully apply, supporting documents will be required, and verifications may take several weeks,” the city’s website says. “A property inspection also will be scheduled for approved applicants.”

Residents must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Meet HUD income limits.
• Own and occupy a home inside Gulfport city limits for at least one year.
• Maintain Gulfport as their primary residence.
• Be current on mortgage and property tax payments.

Eligible repairs include replacement of failing roofs, plumbing and electrical repairs, weatherization, accessibility improvements, and other modifications needed to meet fire, health, sanitary and safety codes.

Gulfport’s administration is committed to continuing the program, the city’s website says, and will notify residents who are on its emergency home repair list at least two weeks before the pre-application process is reopened.

Anita Lee

Sun Herald

601-909-0638

Anita, a Mississippi native, graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and previously worked at the Jackson Daily News and Virginian-Pilot, joining the Sun Herald in 1987. She specializes in in-depth coverage of government, public corruption, transparency and courts. She has won state, regional and national journalism awards, most notably contributing to Hurricane Katrina coverage awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service. Support my work with a digital subscription