City of Houston _______________
  
    Amanda K. Edwards, At-Large 4                 Special Announcement



September 20, 2017
 
A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY CANVASSING IN NorthEAST Houston (SETTEGAST)
 
Council Member Amanda Edwards' office is seeking volunteers for its Hurricane Harvey Recovery Canvassing in Northeast Houston (Settegast) on Saturday, September 23 rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The objective of this effort is to canvass homes that experienced flooding in the Settegast area to ensure that no pockets of the Houston community (especially senior citizens) are left behind in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The canvassing will (1) identify residents in need of assistance; (2) provide critical information; and (3) connect residents to supplies, assistance with home clean-up, and other needs.
 
The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church (6005 North Wayside Drive, Houston, TX 77028) to review instructions. Please park next to the basketball courts. Canvassing will begin shortly thereafter. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Water and snacks will be provided.
 
Volunteers are asked to RSVP no later than Friday, September 22 th at 10:00 a.m. to  atlarge4@houstontx.gov or 832-393-3012.
 
HOUSTONRECOVERS.ORG: HOUSTON'S DISASTER RECOVERY INFORMATION HUB
 
Visit www.houstonrecovers.org to find information related to Hurricane Harvey recovery. The website contains news and information about registering for Harvey recovery assistance, volunteer and donation opportunities, and City Hall updates - in seven languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
 
REMINDER: THOROUGHLY DOCUMENT ALL HARVEY DAMAGE  
 

It is crucial that residents thoroughly document all Hurricane Harvey damage in photographs and/or video footage when filing an insurance claim, applying for FEMA assistance, or seeking for any other form of disaster recovery assistance. 
 
Residents are also advised to create a written inventory of what has been damaged or destroyed, and to track every conversation and activity that relates to a disaster recovery claim or application - in chronological order.
 
FEMA OPENS HOUSTON-AREA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened several Disaster Recovery Centers in the Houston area where those affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey can receive real-time assistance with their FEMA applications, and apply to receive benefits from the Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (D-SNAP) and other services.  Please note that the deadline to file a claim with FEMA is October 24, 2017.  Please see the list of Disaster Recovery Centers below:
 
Netrality Building
1301 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77002
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily

Bayland Community Center
6400 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77074
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
Old Amegy Bank
2401 Termini Street
Dickinson, TX 77539
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily

Greenspoint Mall
12300 North Freeway
(1-45 side of mall)
Houston, TX 77060
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
Fort Bend County Sienna Annex Branch
5885 Sienna Springs Way
Missouri City, TX 77459
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
Webster Civic Center
311 Pennsylvania Avenue
Webster, TX 77598
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
Baytown Community Center
2407 Market Street
Baytown, TX 77520
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center
400 W. Walker Street
League City, TX 77573
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily

Katy Mills Mall
5000 Katy Mills Circle
(food court)
Katy, TX 77494
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
W. Montgomery County Community Development Center
31355 Friendship Drive
Magnolia, TX 77355
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
Simonton Community Church
9703 FM 1489 Simonton Road
Simonton, TX 77476
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Daily
 
Contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362) / TTY 1-800-462-7585 or visit  www.disasterassistance.gov.
 
FREE HURRICANE-RELATED LEGAL ADVICE
 
Members of the public seeking legal advice can call the Houston Bar Association's LegalLine hotline at 713-759-1133 or toll-free 1-866-959-1133. Free of charge, licensed volunteer attorneys will be available to answer questions on insurance, FEMA, landlord/tenant issues, contracts, lost documents, and other disaster-related subjects. The attorneys can also refer to callers to outside resources for additional help.
 
Now until Friday, September 29, 2017, the hotline is open Monday through Friday, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
 
After, September 29th, individuals can call the LegalLine every 1st and 3rd Wednesday between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
                                             
The State of Texas' Disaster Hotline also connects low-income people affected by Hurricane Harvey with legal aid providers who can help with issues such as lost documents, consumer protection claims such as price gouging and contractor fraud. Callers can reach the hotline at 1-800-504-7030.
 
BEWARE OF PRICE GOUGING
 
Mayor Turner urges Houstonians to be on the look-out for price gouging and scams related to Hurricane Harvey. If you encounter any instances of businesses or individuals increasing prices on products or services, or failing to do work for which they have been paid, please report this to the Texas Attorney General's Office. The toll-free consumer fraud hotline is 1-800-621-0508In Texas, offenders who engage in price gouging can face fines of up to $20,000 per offense, and up to $250,000 if the victim is 65 or older.
 
POTENTIAL SOURCE OF TAX RELIEF: HARRIS COUNTY HOMEOWNERS MAY REPORT HURRICANE HARVEY DAMAGE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT
 
The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) asks that homeowners in Harris County who suffered property damage from Hurricane Harvey report damage to HCAD as soon as possible. By reporting now, homeowners can help the appraisal district identify the most damaged properties and neighbors to better assist homeowners when property is reappraised in January 2018.
 
Report Harvey damage by calling 713-812-5805 or emailing help@hcad.org. Please provide the homeowner name(s), address, phone number, and account number. Damage can also be reported through the upgraded HCAD app, available for Apple or Android phones.
 
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROVIDES DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, BUSINESSES, AND PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and non-profit organizations. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair/replace a disaster-damaged primary residence. Renters and homeowners may apply for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged property. Non-profits and businesses may borrow up to $2 million. SBA applicants need not file a FEMA claim; however, those affected by a disaster are encouraged to investigate all options.
 
SBA and the Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Network have opened a business recovery center at 2302 Fannin Street. Business owners can access services free of charge Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
 
Visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ or call 1-800-659-2955 / TTY 1-800-877-8339 to learn more about the process and to find a local disaster center.
 
Harvey Home Repairs May Require Floodplain Development Permits
 
The Floodplain Management Office (FMO) advises that residents who live within the City of Houston's Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year flood plain and floodway) may need to obtain a Floodplain Development Permit to perform certain home repairs in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. "Mucking" activities (removal of wet carpets, flooring, dry wall, mud, etc.) DO NOT require a permit; however, any work on an HVAC system, electrical work, or repairs that cost over $10,000 may likely require a permit.
 
The Houston Permitting Center has extended service hours and opened satellite offices in Harvey-affected neighborhoods to help Houstonians obtain flood damage repair permits so they might return to their homes as safely and quickly as possible.
 
Main Office*
1002 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 77002
Beginning Sept. 11│ Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
 
Permanent Satellite Offices*
Kingwood Office, 3915 Rustic Woods Dr., Humble, TX 77339
Clear Lake Office, 1335 Regents Park Dr. #130, Houston, TX 77058
Northwest Office, 10555 Northwest Fwy. #148, Houston, TX 77092
Beginning Sept. 25│ Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
 
Temporary Satellite Offices**
Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074
Beginning Sept. 13│ Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
 
*Extended hours for flood damage repair permits only. All other services available during regular business hours
 
**For flood damage repair permits only
 
The City of Houston is working with Texas state officials and FEMA agents to compress the schedule for City flood mitigation activities (home elevation, home buyouts, home demolition and rebuilds). 
 
storm Debris Removal continues
 
Crews from the City of Houston Solid Waste Management (SWM) Department and contractors are working 7 days a week on storm debris removal. Please remember to remove all parked vehicles from the streets when debris crews are working in your neighborhood and push remaining debris to the curb. The equipment can reach approximately 10 feet from the curb.
 
SWM will make three passes in every Houston neighborhood, and estimates that storm debris removal will take approximately three months to complete. The department encourages residents to check its website at www.houstonsolidwaste.org for updates on removal efforts. Many district council offices are distributing specific neighborhood updates regarding debris removal, so please stay tuned to those, as well.
 
UNITED WAY 2-1-1 OFFERS HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
 
Residents in need of help in the wake of Hurricane Harvey can call 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get connected to essential services and resources. 2-1-1 is free and confidential, and is available to provide local information about housing, food and water, health resources, and other needs.
 
HOUSTONIANS ADVISED TO CALL DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT POST-HURRICANE HARVEY

In light of the rebuilding needs ahead, Houstonians may be experiencing a variety of types of distress. The Disaster Distress Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide crisis counseling to anyone coping with stress, anxiety, and other kinds of emotional distress in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The national hotline is staffed by trained crisis counselors, is confidential and multilingual, and can be reached toll-free at  1-800-985-5990 .

 
 _____