Over the last six months, I have been solely focused on ensuring Houston families get the funding and relief help they need after Hurricane Harvey, as well as work with state and local officials to improve and modernize Houston’s flood infrastructure to help prevent future flooding disasters.
Either Hurricane Harvey flooded your home, or you know someone whose home was. My mother-in-law and father-in-law and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law were flooded and are still living in a hotel. My brother and sister-in-law are still living in a trailer in their driveway. When the Army Corps opened the floodgates on Addicks and Barker Reservoirs, my brother’s home flooded as did most of his neighbors in Fleetwood and tens of thousands of other west Houston residents along Buffalo Bayou. Homeowners near Brays Bayou were flooded for the third time in three years. As a result, Hurricane Harvey created the largest housing disaster in U.S. history.
I wanted to report to you that I was successful in amending the hurricane relief bill that passed the House to include enough money to finish every federally authorized flood control project in Harris County. Above all else, I am focused on helping our neighbors recover from these terrible floods and rebuilding and expanding our flood control network. Below is a list of resources available. Please contact me if you need assistance. - John Culberson
Many District 7 residents have lost their homes or suffered flood damage as a result of Harvey. If you are a victim of the recent flooding in Harris County, resources are available to you. As always, should you need assistance with regard to FEMA benefits, please contact my D.C. office at (202) 225-2571. If your home has flooded, please be sure to also report it to the Harris County office of emergency management here. Partial Repair & Essential Power for Sheltering (PREPS) Program Eligible Hurricane Harvey survivors receiving Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) may receive an extension to stay temporarily in hotels while they look for an alternative place to live. The Transitional Sheltering Program (TSA) deadline has been extended to March 12th, 2018. There will be a mid-term eligibility review on Feb. 20, 2018. If survivors are unsure of their eligibility status they can:
The Texas General Land Office and FEMA have a Direct Housing helpline. If you need to check your direct housing eligibility, get updates on your direct housing status, or ask questions about the program, you may call: 888-958-0877, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Texas General Land Office and FEMA have established a 24/7 maintenance helpline in Texas. The helpline will serve survivors living in mobile homes and travel trailers provided by the GLO/FEMA Direct Housing program. If your direct housing unit is in need of service or repair call: 877-503-6053. FEMA makes payments to participating hotels for the room and any applicable taxes (including non-refundable pet fees – up to the maximum allowable room night charge). Applicants are responsible for all other incidental costs (meals, transportation, etc.). Hotels require a government issued photo ID at time of check-in, survivors must adhere to any hotel check-in requirements and may be required to provide a credit card for incidental expenses. A household of four or fewer members is authorized one hotel room and a household of five or more will be authorized additional rooms (limit four people per room). One member of each household, 18 years or older, must reside in each room. Applicants with disabilities or who have access and functional needs should check with hotels to ensure appropriate accommodations are available. Those with pets must check with the hotel to see if the hotel accepts pets. TSA-eligible applicants must find and book their own hotel rooms. The list of participating hotels is available at DisasterAssistance.gov under the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program link or by calling FEMA at 800-321-3362. For 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585. For more information on Hurricane Harvey and Texas recovery, visit the Hurricane Harvey disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4332, or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FEMAharvey, the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6, or the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at http://www.dps.texas.gov/dem/.
Small Business Administration (SBA) has extended the deadline for Hurricane Harvey victims (individuals and businesses) to apply for loans for:
* Full name * Date and place of birth * Address of the damaged dwelling * FEMA registration number In addition, the letter must either be 1) notarized and include a copy of a state-issued ID card or 2) include the following statement, "I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct." The applicant must sign the letter. If someone other than the applicant or the co-applicant writes and submits the letter, there must be a signed statement from the applicant affirming that the person may act on the applicant's behalf. You should keep a copy of the appeal for your records. Appeal letters must be postmarked or received by fax within 60 days of the date on the determination letter. By mail: FEMA - Individuals and Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville MD 20782-7055 By fax: 800-827-8112 Attention: FEMA - Individuals and Households Program
If you DO NOT have flood insurance: visit disasterassistance.gov and register with FEMA.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Katy Mills Mall (Fort Bend County) 5000 Katy Mills Circle Hours of Operation Weekly Community Center (Harris County) 8440 Green House Rd. Services: Registration, status update, SBA. Thurs-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Services: Registration. Mon-Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sundays Greenspoint Mall (Harris County) 263 Greenspoint Mall Hours of Operation Although I cannot override the decisions made by a federal agency, I can often intervene on a person's behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or just cut through the red tape. However, regardless of which agency you need help with, I need a completed privacy authorization form to comply with the provisions of the Privacy Act. My D.C. office can be reached at (202) 225-2571 to answer any questions you have. Individuals The FEMA Individual Assistance Program may provide financial assistance to you to help you recover from damage sustained by hurricane Harvey. Click here for more information on the program and eligibility. Visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ to apply. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace real estate and personal property. Visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ for more information and to apply. BUSINESS OWNERS
If you have problems navigating the FEMA application process, or you need assistance with any other federal agency, please contact my D.C. office at (202) 225-2571. |
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The SBA and the Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Network have opened Business Recovery Centers to provide a wide range of services to businesses affected by Hurricane Harvey. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends unless otherwise noted. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 25, 2018. BRC (Harris County) DISASTER LOAN OUTREACH CENTERS
DLOC The Church Without Walls Local government immediate disaster assistance housing options include: Multi-Family Lease and Repair:
Direct Leasing:
Manufactured Housing Options (Mobile Homes and Recreational Vehicles):
Partial Repair and Essential Power for Sheltering (PREPS):
Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair
To be considered for assistance, individuals affected by Hurricane Harvey must first register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. SHELTERS: HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL DEBRIS AND INSPECTIONS INFORMATION: Harris County - For comprehensive information within Harris County visit www.readyharris.org. To report home flooding, the Harris County office of emergency management has set up a website. Harris County Flood Control District – For the latest information on the state of Harris County’s watersheds, visit the website or to report house flooding call 713-684-4000. Harris County Recovery Network –For questions about general disaster recovery resources available to Harris County residents, please call the Community Services Department team at (713) 696-1998, or visit their website.
Call 713-881-3100 and ask for a Fire Marshal
Contact RAM at volunteers@ramusa.org or 865-579-1530.
http://www.fema.gov/about-industry-liaison-program or Google “FEMA Industry”
512-463-3034, option 1.
Coyote Broker, https://www.coyote.com/ 877-6-COYOTE 877-626-9683
1-844-GSA-4111 (1-844-472-4111) |