FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2017

Contact: Jessica Beemer (832) 393-3008

2017 Home Elevation Grant Opportunity Deadline Approaching    

Houston, TX -  The City of Houston is asking homeowners whose homes have flooded for  information so the city can apply for grants to elevate homes. The City of Houston, in partnership with the Texas Water Development Board, would like to submit a grant application on behalf of interested homeowners to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). This grant will request funds to elevate flood-prone homes. 
 
The deadline for homeowners to submit their information to the City of Houston is Friday, August 25, 2017 at 5 p.m. To l earn more, please visit  www.HoustonRecovers.org or attend the 2017 FMA Home  Elevation Grant Informational Meeting. The meeting will be held  Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at  6:30 pm., at the  Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W. Gray St.  Houston, TX 77019. 

  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Homeowners who have flood insurance from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The flood insurance must be effective at the time of the grant application and be maintained throughout the process. To learn more about other requirements visit: www.HoustonRecovers.org
 
HOW CAN THIS GRANT HELP ME AVOID FLOOD DAMAGE IN THE FUTURE?

If awarded, the FMA grant will pay between 75-100% of the eligible costs to elevate a home. The existing house will receive a new foundation and will be lifted so that the lowest floor is at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
 
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF RECEIVING A GRANT AWARD?

FMA is a nationally competitive grant program. Homeowners who have the strongest chance of award are those who own a property with a history of receiving large FEMA NFIP flood insurance claim payments over time. For this reason, the City's application will focus on FEMA designated high priority Severe Repetitive Loss properties. High priority Severe Repetitive Loss properties are homes which the total of two or more flood insurance claim payments for building damage (not including contents) exceeds the FEMA calculated value of the home (not including land).
To have a chance of award, FEMA must save more by avoiding future flood claim payments than it would cost to elevate a home. There is no guarantee of award.
 
HOW DO I APPLY?


2. Complete the form, gather required documents and submit online, in person at the Floodplain Management Office (Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Ave., 3rd Floor), or at the informational meeting on August 15. Homeowners must submit their information to the Floodplain Management Office by Friday, August 25, 2017 at 5 pm

For more information or with questions, please contact the the City of Houston's Floodplain Management Office at 832-394-8854 or fmo@houstontx.gov
 
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