Hawaii nonprofits damaged by Hurricane Lowell have until Nov. 6 to ask FEMA for repair aid
Private nonprofits in Kauai and Maui counties, houses of worship among them, may be reimbursed for storm cleanup and repairs under the federal disaster declaration of Oct. 7. The Small Business Administration is also offering them loans of up to $2 million.
Lihue. Private nonprofits in Kauai and Maui counties that were damaged by Hurricane Lowell, including houses of worship, may qualify for federal disaster aid, and the deadline to ask for it is Nov. 6, Kauai Now reported on Oct. 22.
The aid comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program, which became available when the White House approved a major disaster declaration for the storm on Oct. 7, following Gov. Josh Green's request of Sept. 9. FEMA lists the incident period as Sept. 6 to 9 and designates Kauai and Maui counties for Public Assistance. The declaration does not provide money directly to individuals or households, the County of Kauai said.
Who can apply to FEMA
The program reimburses state and local governments and certain nonprofits for emergency protective measures, debris removal and the repair of damaged facilities. Eligible private nonprofits include those that provide critical or essential social services: hospitals and other medical facilities, utilities, senior citizen and community centers, houses of worship, private schools and colleges, custodial and day care facilities, residential services for people with disabilities, assisted living and low-income housing, homeless shelters and rehabilitation services, and performing arts and community arts centers.
An organization files a Request for Public Assistance, and Kauai Now said those that need help with it should contact the State of Hawaii as soon as possible. Federal rules give the state 30 days after an area is designated to send these requests to FEMA, and Nov. 6 falls 30 days after the declaration.
Loans from the SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest disaster loans to private nonprofit and faith-based organizations in the same two counties, the County of Kauai said in its recovery updates. Loans of up to $2 million can repair or replace damaged property, equipment and inventory, or provide working capital for operating expenses the storm caused, and can be increased by up to 20 percent of verified losses for building upgrades.
Rates are as low as 3.625 percent, with terms of up to 30 years and no interest or payments for the first 12 months after a loan is disbursed. Applications for physical damage are due Dec. 7, and for economic injury July 7, 2027.
Nonprofits that provide noncritical services, such as community centers, senior centers and food programs, must apply to the SBA before seeking FEMA grants for permanent repairs, the county said.
The federal programs come on top of a $2 million state grant program, administered by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, that offers one-time grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to Kauai nonprofits and small businesses hurt by the storm.
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