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Smith County approves MOU with Virginia DHCD to qualify for disaster‑relief funds
Summary
Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to enable local access to state FY26 disaster‑mitigation funds; board authorized finalizing a staffing plan, potentially naming the regional PDC as administrator.
Smith County supervisors voted on June 24 to enter a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) so the county can qualify for a newly announced state disaster‑related mitigation program for FY26.
County staff told the board the state has approved $50 million for mitigation and recovery for hurricane and February flooding losses, with an initial $25 million expected for phase one and another $25 million for phase two. The program, staff said, is designed to fill gaps not covered by FEMA and insurance. As an example, staff described a hypothetical homeowner with $100,000 in damage who had $20,000 covered (FEMA plus insurance) and an $80,000 gap; the DHCD funds could be used to pay that gap for qualified applicants.
The county discussed options to have the regional planning district commission (PDC) act as the administrator for Smith County and neighboring localities; under that approach, applicants would be processed by the PDC and the county would review and sign off. County staff said there is a small percentage of funds available for staffing/administration but that the lion’s share is slated for residential and commercial repairs.
A supervisor made the motion to adopt the MOU and to finalize the staffing plan to identify the PDC as the regional administrator; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The MOU includes a blank space for a staffing plan; board members instructed staff to insert the PDC in that role if final negotiations confirm that arrangement. County staff said moving quickly on the MOU would allow the county to begin qualifying and processing applicants as soon as the program is operational.
