FEMA: Public Assistance Available for Houses of Worship and Other Nonprofits

With the December 28 deadline quickly approaching, FEMA would like to remind religious leaders whose houses of worship in a disaster-designated parish were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ida can apply for FEMA’s Public Assistance program, as many continue to contribute to their communities’ recovery despite their own losses.

Houses of worship interested in receiving reimbursement for repair costs must first submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) through the state of Louisiana at gohsep.la.gov/GRANTS/OVERVIEW.

The RPA is FEMA’s official application form (FEMA form 90-49) that public organizations and private nonprofits use to apply for disaster assistance. It is a simple, short form with self-contained instructions.

If you need assistance with a Public Assistance application or want to know more about FEMA funding opportunities, contact your GOHSEP Public Assistance (PA) State Applicant Liaison (SAL).

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Houses of worship owned or operated by a private nonprofit must be in a disaster-designated parish, have sustained damage from Hurricane Ida, provide a non-critical but essential service, and be open to the public.

Building uses that meet the eligibility requirements include community gatherings, national youth group meetings, lectures and other social activities intended to serve a specific group of individuals, so long as the facility is otherwise available to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

Houses of worship must provide proof of active and good standing with the state or U.S. Internal Revenue Service by providing a letter or other document that shows their tax-exempt status and pre-disaster articles of incorporation.

They must also demonstrate that they own or have legal responsibility to operate out of the facility.

Costs

The cost of eligible work is typically a shared cost. The federal share of assistance is generally not less than 75% of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent work. The grant recipient is usually the state.

The state (recipient) determines how the non-federal share – up to 25% – is split with eligible applicants (subrecipients), which may include houses of worship. Under certain circumstances the federal share may be 90% or even 100%.

Type of Services Delivered Determine Eligible Nonprofits

Nonprofits and houses of worship may be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance if they provide eligible critical services to the general public.

Nonprofits that typically provide critical services are hospitals and other medical treatment facilities, utilities, private schools that provide elementary or secondary education, and institutions of higher education.

Nonprofits and houses of worship that do not provide critical services, but that feed people on an emergency basis following a disaster may also be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.

Nonprofits and houses of worship that provide services of a non-critical but essential governmental nature must first apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) before they can be considered for FEMA Public Assistance grants.

Non-critical but essential services may include senior citizen and community centers, food programs, educational-enrichment activities, custodial and daycare services, disability residential services, assisted living and low-income housing, homeless shelters and rehabilitation services, and performing and community arts centers.

For more information about FEMA Public Assistance for houses of worship, visit Public Assistance- Private Nonprofit Houses Of Worship.

SBA Disaster Loans for Private Nonprofits

Following a major disaster declaration, SBA can provide loans to individuals and businesses for facility restoration.

For businesses of any size and private nonprofits: up to $2 million for property damage.

For small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofits: up to $2 million for working capital needs even if they had no property damage, with a $2 million maximum loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs.

Businesses and residents can apply for a low-interest disaster loan online at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.

For the latest information on Hurricane Ida visit fema.gov/disaster/4611. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.