Disaster Reconstruction Funds Available in Eight Tennessee Counties

October 10, 2024

Households in eight Tennessee counties whose homes were damaged by the severe storms and flooding as a result of Hurricane Helene beginning September 26 and continuing may qualify for grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati’s Disaster Reconstruction Program (DRP) to aid their recovery. In addition, FHLB Cincinnati’s Community Investment Program (CIP) and Economic Development Program (EDP) offer discounted Advances that can be used to finance reconstruction of housing, commercial properties and infrastructure following natural disasters.

The counties affected are:

  • Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington

Residents recently became eligible to receive these grants when the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared the counties a disaster area on October 2. Homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed may be eligible for grants of up to $20,000 toward construction, acquisition or repair of their primary residences. Displaced renters may also be eligible to receive up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a home.

Eligibility rules for those applying for DRP funds include:

  • Eligible households have either been displaced or suffered damage to their primary residence by a federally or state declared disaster occurring within the Fifth District.
  • Household income must be less than or equal to 100 percent of the applicable Mortgage Revenue Bond income limits. In Greene County for a family of one or two persons, the limit is $100,560 and for a family of three or more, the limit is $117,320.
  • Allowable expenses include construction, acquisition, or repair of a primary residence, which must be a single-family detached home or manufactured home permanently attached to a fixed foundation and taxed as real property where the applicant is the owner of record. FHLB funds cannot be used for expenses covered by insurance or state or federal emergency management agencies.

The DRP was created by the Board of Directors in 2012 to assist Fifth District residents whose homes are destroyed or damaged due to a natural disaster. Complete information on the fund is available at www.fhlbcin.com.

Discounted Advances are available through two programs to support housing and economic development in areas with qualifying income and demographic factors. Under the CIP, discounted loans are available to finance the purchase, construction, and/or rehabilitation of housing and economic development projects. Our EDP provides discounted Advances to promote economic development and job creation/retention, also in areas with qualifying income and demographic measures. EDP loans finance commercial, industrial and agricultural projects as well as small business, public facilities, daycare and infrastructure projects.

To participate, contact Jill A. Cravens, Housing and Community Investment Officer, or Dawn E. Grace, VP of Housing and Community Investment, toll free at 888-345-2246.