The Town of Columbia has been allocated $150,000 which it intends to apply toward rehabilitation of at least three houses damaged by Hurricane Matthew or Tropical Storms Julia or Hermine.

Mike Barnette of Farmville, the town’s longtime contract housing engineer, informed the board of aldermen July 6 that eligibility for the grant funds includes:

1. The house must be inside the town limits and occupied by the owner.

2. Gross annual household income must not exceed $34,100 for one person, $39,000 for two, $43,900 for three, $48,700 for four, or $52,600 for five-member households.

3. Storm damage must be at least $5,000.

4. Disaster Recovery costs on any one house cannot exceed $40,000.

5. Homeowner cannot have been approved for a Small Business Administration loan to repair home damages from either of the three storms.

6. Homeowner must cooperate with town officials to document assistance received from FEMA for home repairs due to either of the three storms.

Homes rehabilitated under the Disaster Recovery program must meet the more stringent of N.C. Housing Finance Agency or local ordinance standards upon completion of activities. Those that cannot will be ineligible for the Disaster Recovery program.

The board of aldermen adopted unanimously three program documents recommended by Barnette, and homeowners may inquire at the town office about how to apply for a grant.