Federal agency sends Hamilton County less money

A sign and a FEMA trailer stand outside the Wellness Center on the Southern Adventist University’s campus in this file photo.

Hamilton County will receive less funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency this year than in the past to help with food and shelter.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program’s funding, based on employment and poverty level, has dropped 34 percent from about $200,000 to $132,624, according to Hamilton County board Chairwoman Eileen Rehberg.

Across the nation, FEMA funding has dropped by 0.2 percent, which would indicate that Hamilton County’s needs this year are proportionally less than last year.

The funding will be distributed to local agencies providing meals, shelter or housing assistance.

Last year, of the 15 agencies that applied for funding, 13 received assistance.