Funds Available for Tornado Victims

By: Risa Avila

Updated: Mon 9:57 PM, May 31, 2004

Evelyn Matthews says she is lucky to be alive.

“I was just hunkering down there trying to hang on and when it was over with, I just got up and walked out,” says Matthews.

After losing her home in last Saturday’s F4 tornado, Matthews was worried about where she would find the money to rebuild.

“My insurance probably won’t cover everything so whatever help I could have would be a help,” says Matthews on her funds for rebuilding.

That’s where the Lincoln Action Program stepped in…

“The Lincoln Action Program Housing Development Corporation will be the agency that the State Department of Economic Development will pass disaster funds to homeowners in rural southern Lancaster County that have been impacted by the tornado.” says Leslie Childs of the Lincoln Action Program.

Leslie Childs says it works like this. Most residents’ insurance company will pay for the majority, FEMA puts in their share of funds and then the Lincoln Action Program tries to fill in that gap the other two left behind.

75% of the residents in Hallam are seniors and at higher risk of scams.

“This population is vulnerable with out a disaster and now with a disaster, it impacts those families to a greater extent.” says Childs.

Childs says the LAP as it is known will help survivors like Evelyn.

“The other night, I didn’t know if I was going to make it to the next day but I guess it wasn’t my time.” says Matthews.

Evelyn says she is excited to start her life in Hallam in her hew home.

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