What are the FEMA regulations involving church-owned property damaged by Hurricane Katrina?
Churches, rectories and convents – structures whose main function is religious – are not eligible for any FEMA reimbursement. Buildings such as schools and gymnasiums are. If an eligible structure sustains more than 50 percent damage, a “replacement” project worksheet is written. FEMA permits two options for replacement project worksheets: 1) tear down the building and replace it with an identical building on the same footprint at the proper flood elevation, including code upgrades; 2) tear down the building and use FEMA funds for another eligible project. Regardless of the option chosen, FEMA provides for demolition as part of the replacement project worksheet. If an eligible building sustains less than 50 percent damage, a “repair” project worksheet is written by FEMA. If the applicant chooses not to repair the building covered by the repair project worksheet, FEMA allows funds from the repair worksheets to be transferred for use on other eligible projects. The damaged building does
