Commission approves homeowners rehabilitation policies and disaster-relief program tied to Hurricane Helene

Hamblen County commissioners approved policies and procedures for a homeowner rehabilitation program tied to a Hurricane Helene grant and adopted a resolution creating the county's Disaster Relief Program.

Commission members were asked to accept the policies and procedures that accompany a grant application; staff said the policies largely reflect the grant guidelines and the county's role as recipient. The county earlier approved applying for the grant; county staff told the committee that Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) will administer the homeowner assistance program and that the county's role is to receive the funds and follow the grant's distribution and payback procedures.

"These are the policies and procedures of the grant that's before you," a county presenter said, adding that the THDA will handle administration. The item moved on a motion by Mr. Harville, seconded by Mr. Huntsman, and passed on a voice vote.

The commission also took up Resolution 25, approving the program policy and procedures for the Hamblen County Disaster Relief Program; the resolution passed after a motion by Mr. Doty and a second by Mr. Horrell.

Why it matters: the approvals set the county's administrative framework to receive and distribute grant funds tied to Hurricane Helene and establish a local disaster relief policy intended to direct how aid is paid and repaid under the grant's terms.

Details and context: staff said the homeowners rehabilitation policy covers distribution and payback procedures as spelled out by the grant. Commissioners noted the program targets homeowners in the county's southeast end who suffered storm damage.

Ending: With the policies accepted and the resolution approved, THDA will administer the homeowner assistance grant and the county will proceed with program implementation under the grant's terms.