COM 0157.000 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A major portion of the disaster victims we serve have incomes below the Poverty Guidelines set by the U.S. Housing & Urban Development, Federal Register, Volumes 66, 67, 68, 69. Based on family income levels and size, our records show that over half of the Big Island disaster victims we serve live below the poverty level. In FY03, 50% were below poverty level; in FY04, 73% were below poverty level; and in FY05, 39% were below poverty level. The majority of our Big Island disaster clients are the poorest of the poor, living in households ranging from 1 to 13 people. In 2003, 41.6% of our client families made less than $7,500; in 2004, 56.2% made less than $7,500 per year. According to the 2004 State of Hawaii Data Book, the bottom 16.7% of the families in Hawaii make less than $25,000. Our records for the past 3 fiscal years show that an average of 74% of our Big Island disaster clients are within that bottom category making less than $25,000 per year. In 2003, 66.6% were in this bottom category; 2004 was 80.2%; and 2005 was 52.8%. In FY06, 59% of disaster victims on the Big Island were below or within the poverty guidelines (3 did not respond). While 46.5% of Hawaii's population is low to moderate income, a study of the zip codes of our Big Island disaster clients shows that up to 75% of them live in low to moderate income areas as defined by the CRA Wiz program utilized by local financial institutions. Most Big Island disaster victims rent (not own) their apartment or home, and have no property insurance. During times of disaster, the Hawaii Red Cross has been assigned the responsibility of managing shelters by County and State Government. The Big Island has 27 hurricane approved shelters (in public schools or state office buildings) and 8 other shelters in community centers. Total Budget and Position Count Total Program Budget 93,406 Total Program Position Count 1.5 Total Agency Budget 263,141 Total Agency Position Count 10 The $15,000 sought from the County of Hawaii would provide for direct assistance to those affected on the Big Island by disasters for their immediate emergency needs. As of January, 2007, we have already spent over $10,000 in direct assistance to Big Island disaster victims for this fiscal year 2007. All disaster response and training are provided to the public free of charge. NONPROFIT GRANT APPLICATION FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 Page 4