NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville will reopen applications on April 27 for the Metro Action Commission's Emergency Winter Housing Assistance Program, which offers mortgage, rental, or newly added utility assistance to residents affected by Winter Storm Fern. Just over $700,000 is available for Davidson County residents who provide proof of hardship such as loss of work, hotel expenses, or property damage.

"I want Nashvillians to know help is still available. It's expanding, and work is continuing to Restore Nashville from the lingering impacts of the storm." Mayor Freddie O'Connell said.

A major disaster declaration for Winter Storm Fern expands aid through Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance for residents of 29 impacted Tennessee counties. The program can help eligible survivors with disaster-related expenses such as temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of essential personal property, and other serious disaster-related needs. Tennesseans can apply by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362, or using the FEMA App.

The Small Business Administration has made disaster loans available to business owners impacted by the storm, including loans for physical damage to property, loans for economic injury, and home disaster loans to owners or renters for repairing personal property, including vehicles. Some loans can reach up to $2 million. Applications can be submitted at lending.sbg.gov.

Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster continues to distribute funds to 10 nonprofit partners offering direct aid to Nashville residents. To date, $2.3 million has been raised to help those impacted by the storm, and $1.2 million has helped 1,800 families. Through the needs tracker accessed by calling 2-1-1, 3,900 Nashville residents have requested help.

Hands-On Nashville has coordinated 117 volunteer-led cleanups involving 826 volunteers serving a total of 2,446 hours, and 1,000 residents still need help cleaning up debris. The organization is seeking volunteers via sign up at HoN.org. "Nashville's recovery depends on neighbors helping neighbors." said Lori Shinton, CEO of Hands-On Nashville.

The Nashville Department of Transportation set an April 19 deadline for residents to place debris at the curb before a final city-wide pickup. Contractors have picked up 163,000 dump truck loads of debris so far, and more than 2 million cubic yards have been removed from city streets. "The amount of tree and vegetation debris created by this storm is almost incomprehensible and exceeds any storm event I've witnessed in my 30+ years working in Nashville." said Acting Director of the Nashville Department of Transportation Phillip Jones.