Dallas County tornado victims encouraged to apply for state home recovery funds

Dallas County leaders are encouraging residents with lingering damage from the 2023 tornado to apply for assistance through the Home Recovery Alabama Program. 

HRAP is a grant-funded initiative created to help property owners with unmet repair needs following the EF-2 tornado that hit Selma on Jan. 12, 2023. 

At the Dec. 8 county commission meeting, Dallas County EMA Director Toya Stiles Crusoe briefed commissioners on the program, which is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. A local recovery office has been established at 124 Broad Street in Selma, and residents can also call 251-265-7958 for information or to begin the application process. 

The program is designed for property owners and landlords, not renters, since applicants must provide deeds, bills, and other documentation, Crusoe said.  

“It has to be unmet needs,” she emphasized. “If insurance paid for it, you can’t get reimbursement. But if insurance only covered part of the damage, the rest qualifies as unmet.” 

Commission Chairman and Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn asked whether a deadline had been set. Crusoe said ADECA has not yet announced one, though applications opened Nov. 17. She noted the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Funding levels remain unclear. While initial meetings suggested Dallas County might receive about $4 million of the $8 million statewide allocation, Crusoe said she could not confirm the exact amount. “If you know of anyone that has unmet needs, please advise them to go down there to the office to apply for assistance,” she urged. 

Nunn underscored that the program is not a loan but a grant. “This is for damage from the EF-2 tornado that hit Selma, Dallas County, and Autauga County,” he said. “We still see the remnants from the tornado.” 

The HRAP offers hope for homeowners still struggling nearly three years after the storm. Nunn reminded residents that even partial insurance coverage leaves room for assistance. “Sometimes the insurance only covers a portion of the repair and the property owner can’t afford the rest. Now you have money to repair the rest.