MS House OKs $100M grant program

An excerpt from the Clarion Ledger article:

HB 41 would create the Mississippi Disaster Home Flood Grant Fund to grant a maximum of $25,000 to homeowners whose houses flooded in the storm surge from Hurricane Katrina and they did not have flood insurance. A requirement for the grant would be that residents have to take out disaster assistance loans from the Small Business Administration.

The good news is that this bill, if passed, would create a grant that would give homeowners up to $25,000 to help pay for “flood damage” from the storm surge.

But did you notice the catch? To qualify for the grant, residents have to take out loans from the SBA. Now, as a small government kind of guy, I’m conflicted over all of this in the first place. But lets set that aside for a moment and think about the people who might be applying for this grant.

According to this site, the average home price in Harrison County is $120,143. In Gulfport it is $113,747. In Biloxi it is $125,421. In Ocean Springs it is $129,575. Nearer to the water (and subsequently nearer to the damage) the values are considerably higher. Anyhow, lets use the averages and say a homeowner/mortgage-payer who needs this grant has put 20% down on their home and paid down the mortgage for 5 years. This hypothetical Biloxi/OS/GPT homeowner in need of a grant has remaining debt of ~90,000 dollars, 25 years left on a 30 year loan at 5.5% and no house. Based on a $90/sf cost (before hurricane inflation and new building codes), to rebuild a 1,700 square foot home would be around 153,000.

153,000 Rebuilding Cost
- 25,000 Grant
+90,000 Original Debt
218,000 Total Debt
160,000 Rebuilt Value?
- 58,000 Differential

Before the storm the homeowner’s mortgage payment was around $550/month. Now to live in the same place in a comparable home, the payment is nearly $1,240/month, 225% more than a month ago AND in this example they have negative equity.

Now, I suppose the real estate market will adjust and comparable home prices will simply inflate to reflect the increased cost of ownership IF there are people who can afford to pay those kind of prices. But whether that happens or homeowners are left paying more than their homes are worth may be irrelevant if those same people can’t afford either scenario.

Now, I know that the MS legislators intentions are the best and they are likely trying to prevent abuse of the system. But frankly, people don’t need more debt. We need real relief (preferably from the insurance companies and not the state) and tying the state relief to additional debt will only increase the burdens of these people. If the homeowner in the above example could miraculously find a way... pool his own savings, this grant, maybe some other grants/gifts and not incur any more debt, why should the government discourage him from doing so?

Ya’ll tell me what you think. Am I being belligerent? Does the example hold water? Am I missing something?

B

Great gulf coast updates....

Can be found at www.jonswerens.com.

Jon is visiting the coast from Fort Wayne, IN as a page designer/copy editor for the SunHerald. Jon also plays the piano quite well and sat in this weekend at First Pres Biloxi. He did an outstanding job.

Anyhow, I've heard rumblings of frustration from out there that the only news they see is from New Orleans. If you need some news from the Mississippi coast, check out Jon's site. You can always go over to http://www.sunherald.com/ as well.

B

General Update on Life after Katrina

I’ve been a little delinquent in my posts of late. After three weeks on the coast, I returned to “work” last week (well, at least the work that pays the bills) and that return coupled with the associated travels to Ohio have reduced the time available to post. So, here goes a summary of what is going on with us lately.

Unbelievably, remarkably, inconceivably blessed

That may sound trite, but I hope ya'll understand that I really, really mean it. Holly and I are flabbergasted at the generosity of so many people right now. God is working and moving in ways that we have never experienced. People have given us the clothes out of thier closets, money (and not just a little), food, shelter, discounts and more. Just today, the doctor wouldn't let me pay the co-pay. People are calling me asking where they can send money. I get emails asking where care packages can be sent. And the amount of encouragement and compassion from all over the country and the world seems to know no bounds. Please offer thanks to God for all of the blessing that have been showered upon us these past few weeks. And of course thanks to all of you who have been the vehicles of that blessing.

Wind Policy Insurance Adjuster

After three mostly unproductive calls to FARA (the insurance provider for the state insurance cooperative), I finally called Bobby Huebner, the adjuster, directly again Monday to find out what we should expect in terms of next steps (this is the same fellow who had previously told Holly upon his initial visit to our ‘home’ that it ‘looked like a water event’). I expected that he would tell us that we would receive some sort of official denial documentation from the insurance company so that we could move forward with FEMA, etc…. However, he is in the process of securing an engineer to come out and do a ‘wind versus flood assessment’ on our property. He said that should happen this weekend. After that, he’ll follow up with us to let us know the results. I’m not exactly sure how they can make that determination so I’ll be interested to see what they come back with. I guess right now we’re just hopeful that they will at least provide some sort of compensation… it certainly doesn’t seem as though they intend to pay the full amount. Continue to pray that God will provide.

Homeowners Policy

They said we’re not covered but that they would provide 2 weeks worth of living expenses. If anybody has any ideas as how to come up with a number (we’ve been staying with friends who have most graciously opened their home to us), please let us know (yes, this is a shameless request for blog comments).

Diplomas

Some of our dearest friends did something very special for Holly and I. We hadn’t been able to visit with them since the storm as they’re temporarily living in and have put their children in school in Jackson, MS. Anyhow, last weekend they were on the coast and we finally got to see them. When they showed up they had in hand very nicely framed and matted copies of our MSU diplomas. Jenny and Bubba (he only gets some credit for this because he was smart enough to marry her) had contacted Mississippi State and they were able to reproduce our diplomas from their archived records. In fact, they look even better now than before as the frames and mattes now match (the originals had been separately framed before H & I were married). We had thought we might be able to try to get that done at some point but it was very, very, very kind of J&B to take care of this for us. So, many, many thanks to J&B and their brood. I'll try to post pictures later... the ones I took on Sunday didn't come out so well (I think the battery was nearly dead).

Slowly Very Quickly

I’m sure I am waaaay behind in this proclamation, but Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 ROCKS. I’ve listened to it before, but until today hadn’t really paid that much attention to it. I Googled it and came up with this very interesting Wikipedia entry. I highly recommend these tunes.

Catastrophe Services...

Well, at least we have some information.

Our adjuster, Robert Huebner, met Holly today at our address. As I wasn't able to be there, Brad, husband of one of Holly's colleagues, went with Holly to meet Huebner. As it was described to me, Huebner asserted that our damage was entirely a 'water event' and that there was 'no wind involved'. When pressed about how he knew that the house was destroyed by water and not wind there were some mutterings about historical events and getting an engineer out to look at our site. Or something.

Anyhow, this is in some way progress. At least we have met with the adjuster and we can begin to move forward. We are still waiting to hear from our standard homeowners insurance company.

Keep praying.

B

Adapted from Psalm 91

This Psalm was commended to me by a reader here. As I reflected on it this morning I was drawn to adapt it slightly to make it my own prayer.

Most High and Merciful and Almighty Heavenly father, allow me to rest in your shadow. Be my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Save me from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. Cover me with your feathers, provide me refuge under your wings; may your faithfulness be my shield and rampart.

Protect me from the terror of night, and from the arrow that flies by day, from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, and the plague that destroys at midday. Thousands may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but may it not come near me. May I only observe the punishment of the wicked.

O Most High, allow me to dwell in you, the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall me, no disaster will come near my tent. For you O LORD will command your angels concerning me and to guard me in all my ways; they will lift me up in their hands, so that I will not strike my foot against a stone. I will tread upon the lion and the cobra; may I trample the great lion and the serpent.

Because I love you O LORD, rescue me; protect me, for I acknowledge your Almighty name. When I call upon you, answer me; be with me in trouble, deliver and honor me. Satisfy me with long life and show me your salvation… show me your salvation.

Insurance Adjuster

They called Holly this morning (September 21, 2005) and said they would be at the 'house' around 2PM. I am in Columbus, OH.

I called the adjuster's scheduler/assistant and asked if they could be flexible with the time. They couldn't say when they expected to be back in the area. I can't get back to the coast from Ohio by 2PM so Holly is going out there with a friend.

Please pray that all would go smoothly, that the adjuster will treat Holly respectfully, that Holly will do the same for the adjuster and that the insurance company will find favorably for us. May God grant us peace in this very tumultuous time.

Batch

Friday Vespers

A group of men from First Pres Biloxi had started a Friday afternoon ritual of beer and fellowship. The first floor of this building housed the Irish Coast Pub, the place where this tradition got started. We had begun referring to our ritual as 'Friday Vespers'. We'll resume our meetings soon, but we'll necessarily have to find another regular location to meet. No word yet on when (or whether) the IC will rebuild.

Rita

Keep an eye on her and pray she goes away.

Lots to be thankful for....

I posted a few pics today. Sort of a random assortment.

This one is of my tool chest. I went down to the beach Friday (I think... the days run together) and looked around. I found this and was able to pull it out with my truck. I was able to salvage a socket set that my brother in law gave me a few years ago (thanks Steve). I think with some elbow grease and a little WD-40 they should be nearly good as new. I had fun driving on the beach and tearing the tool box apart to get to my stuff inside.



INSURANCE UPDATE:

I finally today (Monday, September 19th... 13 days since initially filing a claim) got word from the insurance company that we have been assigned an adjuster. Keep praying that they will find favorably for us.

DAWGS WIN, rebs LOSE:

Nuff said.

MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE- Columbus, OH:
I have never been treated so kindly at a hotel. Ever. Period. Ever. I returned tonight after being gone for these last 3 weeks to hugs, cheers, smiles, genuine concern and love. They left a nice meal and some cold beer in the room for me. They asked about my wife. They offered their compassion and assistance. All of that on top of regularly (my work requires frequent travel and I've been staying here week to week for the last 11 months) providing the most considerate, attentive, thoughtful service of any enterprise I have ever frequented. If you are ever in the Columbus area, stay here.

SMITH & BYARS- Starkville, MS:
My dad came down this week along with Wiley Dean. They spent a couple of days working on crews clearing up debris and tarping roofs. Before leaving home, Dad had stopped by a men's clothing store I enjoy going to when I'm visiting Starkville and told the proprietor about how we had fared in the storm. Long story short, Sammy Smith put together a package of 3 very nice shirts and 2 great ties (EDITED 9/21/05- AND A NICE PAIR OF SHOES) to send down with Dad. If you're in Starkvegas and need nice men's clothes, please go see Sammy.
Map of
Smith & Byars
122 W Main St
Starkville MS

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN BILOXI:
The relief center continues to do great work. There are hundreds of workers coming in each week to provide relief to the community. Again, if you are interested in coming here and helping in a very real way, please contact the church office at 228.374.6881. All types of workers are needed from tree removal to tarping to kitchen staff to organizers to data entry and pretty much everywhere inbetween. Thanks to all of you who have already come and lent a helping hand.

Beauvoir, home of Jefferson Davis.

Bobby & Laura playing princess.

This rather large machine made short work of the pile of debris in front of our hosts' home.

Note from a child (pinned to Winnie the Pooh)...

Everybody is praying except for Winnie the Pooh and 'Belle.

MS Insurance Commissioner

State Insurance Commissioner George Dale told lawmakers Tuesday that homeowners who did not have separate flood coverage and lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina's waters are probably out of luck with insurance companies.

Article here.

First worship service in the sanctuary at FPC Biloxi

Notice the only broken pane of glass in the sanctuary (lower right)...

Pictures of the house and contents from Friday...

Our house (foreground), David & Judy's, Alva's and the East Ward school.

Old-school lawnmower

Desk lamp

Closet without walls

Clothes growing on trees.

Neighbors car under what remains of his house.

Holly with Granny's table.

Beach & Thornton.

East Ward school.

Dyson available, barely used. Cheap.

RIP old friend

Electric service

Skilsaw

Its for you...

Holly's sewing machine.

From the 'mailbox'.

Upsidedown.

Portion of a roof.

Recovered t-shirt. I designed this one in college.

Connie's house.

Kitchen remnants.

More pictures from our house, taken Friday.

Airmen came to unload pallets of water and MREs.

Community members waiting for their orders to be filled at the 'store'.

Formerly the youth room, now a mens bunk room with 'designer' ceilings.

Community members registering for benefits.

How to help...

This little boy visited our relief center Tuesday and found exactly what he needed.

How to help…

The needs here seem to have no end. Truckload upon truckload of supplies (water, canned food, diapers, baby wipes, formula, toiletries, etc…) have been distributed to the community. Roofs have been patched. Trees have been removed. Carpet has been pulled up. Sheetrock will be torn out. There are seemingly endless needs.

Realistically, there are three ways that you can help.

1. Pray. Pray. Pray.
   
2. Send money to MNA or coordinate a way to send supplies.
3. Volunteer or coordinate volunteers to come help.

If you do want to come or coordinate supplies remotely you need to contact MNA. They are doing their dead level best to provide organization to what can quickly become a chaotic attempt to help everybody.

To contact MNA, you may call:

Andrew Lamb- 904.477.6378

First Presbyterian Church, Biloxi- 228.374.6881

Christ Presbyterian Church, Mobile- 251.633.2002

There is an on-line database where you can sign up as well. You register then MNA calls you back to coordinate. Please make every effort to be as patient as possible, because these guys are extremely BUSY.

There is an extremely urgent need for canned goods. Please pray that God would provide bountifully. There may also be a need for RVs for displaced families to reside in until their homes are rebuilt.

Finally, below are some pictures from a neighborhood I visited yesterday. The devastation continues to amaze.

Good News

We found a number that worked for the insurance company!!! We got our name in the hopper and they expect to be in touch within 72 hours.

If you know of anybody who needs to contact the insurance 'barn' in Mississippi, send them here.

Shannon, Laura and Holly. Shannon (who before this week Holly and I never met) was gracious enough to turn her home over to us this past week. This has given us a place to shower, sleep, eat and use phones/internet/etc... Thank you Shannon for showing us the love of Christ in a very tangible way.

In the news...

Do the link.

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=181e0c73-f9da-448c-926a-4a132189eaba&f=email

B

Oh what a relief it is...

Please know that MNA is wisely managing donated time and dollars. The pictures below are taken from the fellowship hall at FPC Biloxi and include donated items, relief workers, etc... There have been 35-40 MNA relief workers distributing supplies to hundreds upon hundreds of Gulf Coast residents and crews are expected to continue to rotate through. People have arrived from Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and beyond. We have opened a 'store' where residents can come get supplies (of course everything in this store is free) and are running trucks loaded with supplies to neighborhoods across the coast. If you are interested in the work that MNA is doing and would like to support its efforts, you can click here.