Past Successes
The following descriptions outline the past successes of programs offered by Hancock Resource Center since its inception in 2008. For additional information on current and ongoing programs, refer to the Annual Reports listed on the right-hand column on this page.
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Coming Home Collaborative (CHC)
Clients that were homeowners at the time of Katrina that did not receive adequate funds to repair or rebuild their homes received assistance in one or more of the following:
MyHomeMyCoast Program
MyHomeMyCoast was a down-payment assistance grant of up to $22,500 with an additional $3,500 closing-cost grant and a portion of the loan value was interest-free. Hancock Resource Center received 315 referrals through this program and provided homeownership counseling, credit counseling, and budget counseling to clients. Certified housing counselors scheduled multiple one-on-one appointments with clients. In addition, applicants participated in group homebuyer education classes offered twice a month. Counseling was completed by 90 of the applicants and 51 closed on a home. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling Program
The primary focus of this program is affordable rental housing, homeownership, and delinquency counseling. All counselors are certified housing counselors and two counselors have completed foreclosure counseling certification. Homebuyer services include: one-on-one homeownership counseling, credit counseling, budget counseling and group education classes for pre- and post- purchase. This program has prepared clients for the responsibilities of homeownership, increased their knowledge of financial management, facilitated the purchase of numerous homes in Hancock County and prevented foreclosures, thereby stabilizing families. The Hancock Resource Center continues to provide one-on-one counseling services to clients, and if eligible, provides direct financial assistance to clients requiring a loan modification. 
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP)
This program was funded by a grant through the Open Doors Homeless Coalition and assisted those who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and met both of the following circumstances:(a) No appropriate subsequent housing options were identified; (b)The household lacked the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing. Fifty-three clients who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless received financial assistance or counseling. More than 300 requested assistance prior to funds being exhausted. In addition, 113 clients sought and received rental counseling. All of these clients were very-low income at 50% AMI or less. HRC case managers worked with clients to rapidly transition to stable housing by addressing the underlying issues contributing to homelessness risk, and HRC provided housing stabilization services such as intake and assessment, housing stabilization action plans, budget counseling, rental housing counseling and placement, habitability assessments, temporary financial assistance and coordination of additional supportive services like referrals to the local community college for GED and vocational training, and to the WIN Job Center for employee counseling and vocational training. Case managers also provided clients with assistance in obtaining other public benefits such as applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), HUD Housing Choice Vouchers, unemployment assistance, disability benefits, and Social Security. Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation Unmet Needs Case Management
This program involved case management for 7 clients and rehabilitation of 6 Katrina-damaged homes. Youth Build Gulf Coast (International Relief and Development) MS Oil Spill Case Management
This program provided case management for families unable to recover financially from the British Petroleum Oil Spill. Four hundred thirty-six people (436) applied for the program. Fifty-one (51) have received employment counseling with 30 being placed in jobs. Additional MSOCC services included supporting 92 applicants with financial assistance, while all participated in budget counseling and 65 received credit counseling. Little Bit Left Fund ( Long-Term Recovery)
This fund is administered by the Hancock Resource Center to assist clients in the Long-term Recovery database that are very close to completing their homes, but have “a little bit left” to be complete. Recipients must meet the long-term recovery criteria of elderly or disabled and be low-moderate income (120% of the area median income or less) or be low-income (80% of the area median income or less) and must have owned the home at the time of Katrina. Twenty-six (26) projects have been funded since 2010. This program has helped clients complete their recovery and stabilize their housing situation. The Hancock Resource Center provided construction management, volunteer coordination and/or access to nonprofit funding to completely rebuild and rehabilitate over 520 homes since its inception in 2007. This was accomplished through partnerships with more than 20 other disaster-relief organizations. The Hancock Resource Center is providing construction management and volunteer labor through partnerships for families that received funds from the Mississippi Development Authority’s Homeowner Assistance program, but not enough to build independently. 
Dept of Justice Office on Violence Against Women Transitional to Permanent Housing Program (OVW TTPH)
Awarded in Fall 2011, this program provides transitional housing assistance and voluntary supportive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Services include case management and coordination of supportive services (income assistance, vocational and rehabilitation counseling, employment and training services, educational assistance, health care services, financial planning resources, transportation services, child care services, etc.) to survivors of domestic violence. Eleven (11) women have received housing support and related services to date. Emergency Food and Shelter Program
In 2011 and the 2012, the total awarded funds of $8706 for this program were exhausted helping 19 families with rental assistance or deposit assistance. Holiday Assistance Program
This program provides holiday assistance for low-to-moderate income families in Hancock County. Over 577 families have been served, and over 1325 children received holiday gifts. All applicants to the Hancock Resource Center must be at or below 120% AMI to be considered for assistance, though many of our programs require applicants to be at or below 80% AMI. The Hancock Resource Center uses the HUD AMI Income guidelines to determine the household income. Moderate income is 100 to 120% of AMI, Low Income is 80% to 100% AMI and Very low income is less than 50% AMI.
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