$685 Million in Assistance Provided to Flood Victims
Release Date: August 24, 2001
Release Number: 1379-95
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Houston, TX, August 24, 2001 -- Only ten weeks after President Bush declared a major disaster for the State of Texas, 109,000 residents have registered for assistance and $685 million in federal and state disaster aid has been provided to affected families and businesses.
This includes $158.2 million approved to help with temporary housing costs and $304 million approved in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans. The state also has approved $184 million in grants for other disaster-related needs.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has approved $39 million in federal funds to help pay for the acquisition and demolition of 530 substantially damaged homes in the cities of Friendswood and Pearland, and in Harris County's unincorporated areas.
In Harris County alone, more than $315 million has been approved for disaster housing funds.
Residents in the 31 declared counties have until September 7, 2001 to register for disaster assistance. They may call 1-800-462-9029 (1-800-462-7585 for hearing- and speech-impaired persons) to register for assistance, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Registration lines are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
- If residents who have already applied for assistance want to check on the status of an application or update contact information, they should call the toll-free Helpline number at 1-800-525-0321 (1-800-462-7585 for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). The Helpline is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Persons also may visit the nearest Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to update their application.
- The DRCs, registration and Helpline all will be closed Labor Day weekend beginning Saturday, September 1 through September 3. The DRCs and phone lines will reopen at 8 a.m., Tuesday, September 4.
Following is a brief description of Tropical Storm Allison's impact and the response and recovery efforts to date by the Division of Emergency Management (DEM), Texas Department of the Public Safety; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and other state, federal and voluntary agencies:
DISASTER HOUSING
The FEMA Disaster Housing Assistance Program helps people who cannot or should not live in their homes because of damage or other disaster-related reasons. The purpose of the program is to make sure people have a livable place to live until their homes can be repaired.
More than $158.2 million in grants have been approved for individuals to assist them with rental housing and minor home repairs.
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY GRANT (IFG) PROGRAM
The IFG program provides funds for the necessary expenses and serious needs of disaster victims that cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance, or through other means such as insurance. Among eligible categories are essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, and transportation. The program is administered by the State and is funded 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the State.
- State officials have approved of more than $184 million for IFG grants.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest disaster loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.
- $304 million approved in SBA loans.
- More than $284 million in SBA loans for individuals.
- $20 million in SBA loans for businesses.
- Disaster low interest loans are for homeowners as well as business owners. SBA representatives can be reached at 1-800-366-6303.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)
DUA is available through the Texas Workforce Commission for those who lost income because of the disaster, including farmers, farm workers, migrant farm workers, and other self-employed individuals.
- Since the August deadline, some 1,500 claims have been approved and more than $369,561 disbursed in unemployment assistance.
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS (DRCs)
- To date, more than 53,000 people have visited DRCs. Currently, nine centers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
- The location of open DRCs can be obtained by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-525-0321. The FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventnews.fema?id=115 also lists DRC locations.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA)
The PA program provides funds to eligible municipalities, public agencies and qualified private non-profit organizations for approved costs of disaster related debris removal, emergency protective measures, road repairs, repair of water control facilities, and restoration of buildings, utilities, and recreational facilities.
More than $8 million has been approved (75 percent paid by FEMA) for all projects, including debris cleanup and emergency protective measures.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 14:28:13