NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez Monday will begin gathering documentation from willing homeowners for its 2018 Special Needs Assistance Program, or SNAP.

The SNAP program aims to help owners of “special needs households” make needed improvements to their houses.

Examples of these improvements could include replacing a worn roof, electrical or plumbing repairs, ADA upgrades, replacing non-compliant open flame heaters and more.

City Community Development Director James Johnston said the city, along with Home Bank (formerly Britton & Koontz Bank) and Concordia Bank & Trust, has assisted 97 homeowners in need to the tune of approximately $470,000.

SNAP eligibility requires willing participants to own their house within the city limits and use that house as his or her primary residence. Additionally, the homeowner must provide a copy of a deed and meet the program’s income qualifications, which depend upon the size of the household.

Participants must also be willing to sign a five-year deed restriction and have any liens or judgments against their house cured to receive eligibility.

SNAP worksheets can be picked up at City Hall, located at 124 S. Pearl St., in the Planning & Community Development Department. Johnston said between 15 and 18 applications are expected to be submitted for funding consideration to Federal Home Loan Bank Dallas in early January.