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NATCHEZ — The third time is a charm for low-income homeowners in the City of Natchez.

Ward 1 Alderman Valencia Hall, who has worked closely with those applying for the grant on the city’s behalf, announced that Natchez has been awarded $557,200 for rehabilitating homes owned by low-income residents in Natchez.

“We have applied three times, and on the third time, we have been awarded the grant. We are trying to do something for the citizens of Natchez who need it most,” Hall said.

Lynette Smith of Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development, the grant administrator, said the federal funds are from the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Mississippi Home Corp. and can only be used for homeowner rehabilitation activities.

Smith shared with the Natchez Board of Aldermen at its Tuesday night meeting some of the qualifications for those eligible for the grant funds.

She said grant funds will only be awarded to those whose household incomes are at or below 80 percent of the area’s median income, which is currently at $31,800, according to U.S. Census data. Eighty percent of the median area income would be $25,400.

“Homeowners must be current or exempt on their property taxes, and they must have owned the property for one year before applying for the grant,” Smith said.

In addition, eligible homeowners must be able to show ownership by way of a property deed. “They cannot have any liens or debts on the property,” she said.

The maximum amount of each rehabilitation award to an individual homeowner is $60,000.

“Imagine what we can do with that,” Smith said.

Smith will hold a public hearing on Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 115 S. Pearl St., to provide more information to Natchez residents interested in applying for the grant funds.

“The applications are due to the Mississippi Home Corp. by Dec. 31. After I hold a public hearing, I would like to set the deadline for receiving them for Nov. 25 so I can have time to do the preliminary documents necessary to submit the applications and packaging,” she said.

Smith said she would be available to help applicants complete the application on Nov. 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers.

No manufactured houses are eligible for the grant funding, and the property must not be located in a flood zone, she said.

Smith said that at the end of construction, each homeowner who receives the grant funds must sign a five-year deed restriction, meaning they cannot sell their property for five years.