Eligible PNP facilities are defined in 44 C.F.R. 206.221(e) and include facilities providing essential government type services such as community centers. RRDP 9521.1 and the PA Guide provide that a facility established or primarily used for religious activities is not an eligible community center. A facility primarily established or used as a religious institution or place of worship is ineligible. RRDP 9521.1 defines “established” as the purpose for which the facility was instituted; which is determined by a review of the articles of incorporation; charter; bylaws; and other documentation. In Philadelphia Ministries; FEMA found a facility established as a church ineligible.According to the Applicant bylaws; the facility was established as a “religious society” for the purpose of “practice and advance of free faith.” Admission is contingent on subscription to the “purpose of the church” and completion of a pre-membership religious education is required for persons between the ages of thirteen and sixteen. The articles of incorporation lists; among the purposes; the practice of the Unitarian-Universalist faith. Also; the letter from the IRS classifies the organization as a church.

Response and Recovery Directorate Policy (RRDP) 9521.1; Community Center Eligibility (Aug. 11; 1998).Second Appeal Analysis; FEMA-1603-DR-LA; PA ID 071-ULNET-00; Philadelphia Ministries; Project Worksheets 20245; 20246; 20247; and 20248.HeadnotesEligible PNP facilities are defined in 44 C.F.R. § 206.221(e) and include facilities providing essential government type services such as community centers. RRDP 9521.1 and the PA Guide provide that a facility established or primarily used for religious activities is not an eligible community center. A facility primarily established or used as a religious institution or place of worship is ineligible. RRDP 9521.1 defines “established” as the purpose for which the facility was instituted; which is determined by a review of the articles of incorporation; charter; bylaws; and other documentation. In Philadelphia Ministries; FEMA found a facility established as a church ineligible.According to the Applicant’s bylaws; the facility was established as a “religious society” for the purpose of “practice and advance of free faith.” Admission is contingent on subscription to the “purpose of the church” and completion of a pre-membership religious education is required for persons between the ages of thirteen and sixteen. The articles of incorporation lists; among the purposes; the practice of the Unitarian-Universalist faith. Also; the letter from the IRS classifies the organization as a church.