NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez is once again partnering with two local banks to apply for funding to help repair houses of local elderly and disabled residents.

Community Development Director James Johnston said the city is partnering with Concordia Bank & Trust and Britton & Koontz Bank to apply for money to make repairs to 20 houses.

The funding would come from the Special Needs Assistance Program of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

Natchez Community Development Director James Johnston said the SNAP program distributes grants through its local member banks to qualifying residents, including elderly and/or disabled, for home repairs. Those repairs, Johnston said, include replacing a worn roof, repairing or replacing a rotten front porch, replacing faulty wiring and other repairs.

Last year, B&K and Concordia banks distributed $96,000 for repairs to the houses of 19 local residents.

To qualify for the 2014 SNAP Program, a homeowner must:

• Be 55 years or older or have a person who is handicapped or disabled living in the home.

• Own the house. Homeowners with mortgages are also eligible.

• Live in the house full-time.

• Be located within the Natchez city limits

• Execute a deed restriction before work is performed to prevent the home from being sold immediately after completion of work. The deed restriction is for five years on a pro-rata basis.

• Meet program income limit requirements, which is 80 percent of median income adjusted for family size.

For more information or to apply for a SNAP grant, contact the Natchez Planning and Community Development Department at 601-445-7518 or stop by the office, located upstairs in City Hall at 124 S. Pearl St.