After hearing questions and comments
from concerned residents at a public hearing, town officials are more open to a program that would let the federal government buy flood victims' homes.
Princeville officials ruled out the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program because of misunderstandings and other concerns. However, Town Manager Sandra White said the town had neither refused nor endorsed the program.
"We had a meeting in which citizens commented and asked questions to a panel of (experts of the program)," she said. "We took down a list of names of citizens who were interested in the
program. "We counted 33 people that are interested in the buyouts."
The Hazard Mitigation Grant program gives state, local and non-profit entities the opportunity
to reduce the threat of damage from natural hazards. Seventy-five percent of the program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which gives final approval for
communities' applications, while the state administers the program and picks up 25 percent of the cost. State, county and municipal governments are eligible for the program and eligible
activities include relocation or public works projects.
Projects are funded on "75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal cost share basis," and
are based upon 15 percent of the federal share of individual and public assistance provided during the disaster declaration. But local government must approve the program first.
"At this point, I think it's best to say that we really would like the town leadership to work with their citizens to reach a decision on how they want to proceed," state HMGP assistant director Gavin Smith.
White said she could not speak for other Princeville officials or flood victims, but she would try to clear up some concerns before considering the program.
"If it was me, I would have some concrete questions," she said. "First of all, I would want to know when I would get my money if I buy out."
White said a program facilitator at the meeting said it could take six months to two years because the town has to seek grants for the buyouts from the federal government. In addition,
all property sold would belong to the federal government and "nothing can ever be built on the property again" without its approval.
"I would also want to know about a fair value of the home," White added. "What's going to happen with my mortgage? Will I have any tax liens? And how much money will I have left?"
Attorney General Mike Easley announced that the Department of Justice will create Home Assistance Centers in counties affected by Hurricane Floyd in order to help people
understand the FEMA process. Lawyers who are being trained in FEMA regulatory law will work closely with the Governor's Hurricane Recovery Housing Counseling Service.
"This is a complicated process," Easley said. "Many people do not understand it, and many cannot evaluate whether they are being treated fairly."
Meanwhile, White said Princeville officials and residents are focusing on piecing their lives together by rebuilding the town. She said it has not been easy.
"There has been a lot residents that are rebuilding the town," she said. "Many are wondering when can they come home. But some don't realize that there are elected officials that lost
everything too, and they are suffering the same emotional scars as everybody else. They don't see it but I do."
White credits the town of Cary, which adopted Princeville, with speeding up housing
inspections. She said four teams inspected homes in the city limits within five days.
"They have brought supplies and helped us (town officials) catch up on our work from
day-to-day. People are good-hearted. I was beginning not to believe that anymore. But I do now."
