(CODEN, Ala.) July 17 - The Gulf Coast is quickly approaching the four year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and Friday, a group called the Gulf Coast Fund gathered in Coden to put the spotlight on on-going recovery efforts there.
One concern voiced during the meeting is how long its taken grant money meant for storm victims to be received. In some cases, people say they are just now receiving the money they applied for years ago.
Last month, the Covas' received $25,000 in federal grant money. Money they applied for four years ago. They're putting it to good use. They're getting new siding and replacing their old windows.
"We really gave up on it, gave up on it. Out of no where we got a call saying it was going to be done. It was just wow!" said Patricia Covas.
Covas says surge water from Hurricane Katrina filled her home three feet high. Everything had to be gutted. Even with $12,000 in FEMA money, it wasn't enough to cover the costs. So Covas applied for federal grant money, which as storm victims in the Bayou found out can be an exhaustive process.
"A lot of red tape," said Teresa Bettis with the Center for Fair Housing.
Bettis says because of the bureaucratic process, many have been turned away. She says there at least 470 families in Mobile County who had storm damage, applied for grant money, but didn't receive anything. And now the money is running out.
"Essentially, we still have a great number of families who are affected by Hurricane Katrina who are still in need of relief, need help to rebuild their home," said Bettis.
Covas says she's just thankful the grant money came through for her family.
"We are so happy. If you could see my home before and see it now, you know. I just thank the Lord for it," said Covas.
