KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The USDA has launched two new programs to help East Tennesseans whose homes were affected by damage from Hurricane Helene.
The Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Disaster Assistance Fund (DAF) Home Repair Grant Program and the 502 Home Replacement Program are intended to help those anyone whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
Clinch-Powell RC&D will facilitate applying for the grants or loans in the following East Tennessee counties:
- Carter
- Claiborne
- Cocke
- Grainger
- Greene
- Hamblen
- Hancock
- Hawkins
- Jefferson
- Johnson
- Sevier
- Sullivan
- Unicoi
- Washington
For home repair grants, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- 18 years or older
- Own or occupy the home and able to provide document of ownership
- Have income that does not exceed the applicable low-income limit based on household size and county (see table below)
- Property is located within a designated area (click here for designated areas)
- Sustained damaged as a result of Helene on Sept. 26, 2024
To be eligible for home replacement, applicants’ income must not exceed the low-income limit on the table below and must be within one of the 14 disaster counties.
| County | Max income limit (1-4 people) | Max income limit (5-8 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Carter | $67,850 | $89,600 |
| Claiborne | $59,900 | $79,100 |
| Cocke | $59,900 | $79,100 |
| Grainger | $59,900 | $79,100 |
| Greene | $59,900 | $79,100 |
| Hamblen | $60,500 | $79,900 |
| Hancock | $59,900 | $79,100 |
| Hawkins | $61,350 | $81,000 |
| Jefferson | $60,500 | $79,900 |
| Johnson | $59,900 | $79,100 |
| Sevier | $64,000 | $84,500 |
| Sullivan | $61,350 | $81,000 |
| Unicoi | $67,850 | $89,600 |
| Washington | $67,850 | $89,600 |
To apple for home repair or home replacement funding, contact Hollie Sartin at Clinch-Powell’s Newport office at 423-720-1956 or by email.
