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FEMA/GLO Temporary Housing Assistance for Disaster Survivors

FEMA and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) are working to make temporary and short-term housing assistance programs available to residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey.  There are 5 programs available for those in need of assistance:

  1. Multi-Family Lease and Repair – Direct assistance to repair or improve existing multi-family housing
  2. Direct Leasing – Enables local governments to lease properties typically unavailable to the public
  3. Manufactured Housing Options – Mobile Homes and Recreational Vehicles
  4. Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair (DALHR) – Provides permanent repairs to homes with significant damage
  5. Partial Repair and Essential Power for Sheltering (PREPS) – Provides minor repairs to homes in locations with limited housing

To be eligible for these housing assistance programs, residents must apply for FEMA assistance.  FEMA will determine a resident’s eligibility and contact the resident directly.   The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Thursday, November 30, 2017.  To register with FEMA, visit disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Simonton DRC Transitions to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Disaster Outreach Center is set to close Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 6 p.m. 

For additional assistance questions, call SBA’s Customer Service Center for any questions at (800) 659-2955. 

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Simonton Community Church has transitioned to a Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center, starting Monday, November 27, 2017. Residents can meet with the SBA to discuss the SBA’s disaster loan program, complete applications, close approved loans, and get questions answered.

(Please note that the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Simonton Community Church has closed.)

The center is at the following location:

Simonton Community Church

9703 FM 1489

Simonton, TX  77476

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SBA customer service representatives will be available at the DLOC to meet individually with businesses, homeowners and renters to answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their applications and close their approved loans.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA can also lend additional funds to help businesses and residents with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace their damaged or destroyed primary residence. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Survivors can still register for federal disaster assistance in the following ways until Nov. 30, 2017. SBA’s Customer Service Center can answer any questions at (800) 659-2955 as well.

DRC at Simonton Community Church to Close November 25, 2017!

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Simonton Community Church will be closing permanently, Saturday November 25, 2017 at 6pm.

All DRC locations will be closed November 23rd and 24th in observance of Thanksgiving. 

If you are in need of a Disaster Recovery Center, please visit one of the 2 alternate DRC locations in Fort Bend County.

Don’t Forget to Register for Assistance!

If you were impacted by Hurricane Harvey, you have until November 30th, 2017 to register for FEMA Assistance.  Register using one of the methods below:

  • Online at disasterassistance.gov
  • Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).
  • Via the FEMA app, available for Apple and Android mobile devices. To download visit: gov/mobile-app.
  • Visiting any of the disaster recovery centers still open. Locations of other recovery centers can be found online at fema.gov/DRC.

 

Click here  for the original press release from FEMA.

 

You are NOT alone!

Disasters are traumatic events.  Know that you are not alone in what you are going through following Harvey.  Fort Bend Recovers is here to help you recover – not just your home, but your peace of mind as well.

Fort Bend Recovers is offering 3 FREE counseling sessions for Fort Bend County residents who were affected by Harvey or the floods of 2016.  Please call the Mental & Spiritual Health Helpline at 281-207-2505 to set up an appointment.

Fort Bend Recovers Services

Fort Bend Recovers is a collaborative network comprised of non-profit, faith based and government organizations working as long-term recovery partners to assist our community with disaster recovery efforts following the 2016 floods and Hurricane Harvey.

Services Available:

Emergency Basic Needs (food and emergency financial assistance) are available based upon verified financial need and other eligibility requirements. Contact 2-1-1 to find a location near you.

Free Mental Health Counseling is available to all affected individuals, children or families in Fort Bend County regardless of financial status. Call (281) 207-2505 to request a counselor in your area.

Long-Term Case Management Services are available to help residents develop disaster recovery plans and screen for other available services such as unmet needs assistance or home repair assistance. Case management is available to all affected households. Please call (281) 207-2555 to leave a message for a case management appointment. Due to high demand for services, all of our case managers are currently booked so there may be a wait for this service. If you need emergency basic or immediate needs like food or temporary housing, please call 2-1-1.

It is important to note that case managers require the following documentation in order to determine eligibility for additional services:

  • FEMA award or denial letter
  • Insurance claim determination letter (if applicable)
  • Proof of homeownership for those seeking home repair services
  • County/city damage assessment letter for residents located within the floodway or floodplain
  • Proof of income and/or financial need (pay statements, checking/savings information, etc.)
  • Must be Fort Bend County resident

Home Repair Assistance is available after FEMA, SBA and/or insurance determinations have been made for homeowners that qualify. Due to high demand for services and very limited financial resources, case managers will utilize the following eligibility/priority criteria:

  • Priority will be given to Fort Bend County residents that are low-income families with young children, seniors, veterans or people with disabilities.
  • Households must provide proof of income and demonstrate significant financial need.
  • Households must have exhausted all available personal resources (FEMA grants, flood insurance, personal resources/savings) or have a plan for how those resources will be utilized.
  • Funding is not available for home elevations or complete home rebuilds (reconstruction) at this time.
  • Homes must be the homeowner’s primary residence. Proof of ownership is required.
  • Funding is not available for rental property, business, nonprofit or church facilities.

Please note that in most cases, before assistance can be provided, FEMA determination letters and/or insurance claim notifications must be received by the resident. All applicants must meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria to be considered for approval. Contact Case Management at (281) 207-2555 for an appointment.

This is a long-term program and there may be a wait for services because the need is so great. Case managers and home repair assessors must complete in-depth assessments to determine eligibility and scope of work as part of the approval process. This process helps ensure that residents preserve any recovery assistance they have received while working to bridge the gap of unmet needs after all other available financial resources have been exhausted. We appreciate your patience as you wait to be contacted for an appointment.

Get more information by clicking on Fort Bend Recovers Case Management Flyer here.