I know many of you are still suffering the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Even though months have passed since the storm and reservoir releases, there remains great need. I write today to let you know of federal relief programs for which you may qualify. You do not have to meet income-based eligibility requirements to be considered for funding under these programs.
Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair (DALHR) Program
This program provides up to $60,000 in home repair funding for homeowners who previously applied and registered for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Harvey. The program is FEMA funded, but administered by the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD).
DAHLR funding is currently available. To qualify, you must have already registered with FEMA, owned your home prior to Hurricane Harvey, undergone a FEMA-issued inspection, and experienced a FEMA-verified loss of at least $17,000. Home repairs are limited to items like plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, walls, floors, and ceilings. Structural repairs do not qualify.
To prevent duplication of benefits, homeowners will be asked for documentation of any FEMA benefits already received including insurance proceeds, increased cost of compliance, FEMA assistance, loans from Small Business Administration, and other government-funded sources.
There is no separate application for this funding. FEMA determines if you are qualified based on your previously-submitted claim information. To determine if you qualify for DALHR funding, please check your FEMA status at
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
or call 1-800-621-3362. If you believe FEMA has erroneously denied you this assistance, please contact HCDD at 832-394-6100. Staff there will help you determine eligibility, offer guidance on other home repair programs, and forward your name to FEMA for further review. You can also call FEMA directly to appeal the denial of assistance at 800-620-9511.
More information on DALHR
here.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
The purpose of HMGP is to help communities implement hazard mitigation measures following a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Examples of mitigation projects funded with HMGP include: home buyout, home elevation, home demolition and reconstruction, and structural retrofitting.
In February 2018, Governor Abbott announced Texas will receive $1.1 billion in HMGP funding. FEMA will provide this funding through the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Individuals do not apply directly for this funding; rather, the City of Houston will sponsor applications on behalf of eligible homeowners. If you would like to be considered for grant funding under this program, please fill out this
voluntary interest form.
Houston Public Works officials have sent notice to the state that the city will be asking for $185 million in HMGP for residential mitigation projects. The city plans to submit applications on a rolling basis (40 to 50 homes at a time) starting this June.
More information on HMGP
here.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program
The FMA Program is funded by an annual appropriation by Congress. FMA-funded projects aim to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program.
FEMA provides funding for this program through the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Individuals do not apply directly for this funding; rather, the City of Houston will sponsor applications on behalf of eligible homeowners. In the past, the city has used FMA funding to provide elevation grants to eligible homeowners. These funds may also be used for other types of flood mitigation projects. If you would like to be considered for grant funding under this program, please fill out this
voluntary interest form.
FEMA and TWDB have not yet released the request for FMA Program applications. This is expected to happen this summer with a deadline for application in late fall.
More information on FMA
here.
