GLO announces publication of HUD guidance for Harvey long-term disaster recovery funds

AUSTIN – Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued its guidance for the administration of the recent award of $5.024 billion to the state of Texas to help with the long-term recovery following Hurricane Harvey. The disaster recovery funds will be administered by the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) Community Development & Revitalization (CDR) program and can be used for a wide variety of activities including housing redevelopment, infrastructure repair and long-term planning.

“Hurricane Harvey has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of so many Texans and these funding guidelines provide the next crucial step in the long-term rebuilding process,”said Commissioner George P. Bush. “The GLO stands ready to help our state maximize the use of this disaster recovery funding to build back stronger and more resilient communities.”

This CDBG-DR allocation for Hurricane Harvey is the single largest CDBG-DR allocation for any event. On September 8th, President Donald J. Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act of 2017, which included $15.25 billon to support response and recovery from disasters across the nation.

The GLO is committed to completing an amendment to the current Action Plan for the initial $57.8 million outlining the method of distribution for these funds as quickly as possible, utilizing the strong partnership it has with the Texas Association of Regional Councils and the impacted Councils of Governments to help administer these funds. To expedite the recovery process with these funds, the GLO will administer a number of programs including a multi-family affordable rental program, a homeownerreimbursement program and other tenant and homeowner programs.

The GLO continues to encourage all impacted homeowners to keep their receipts for any repairs made on their home to provide with applications for further assistance.

To date, the GLO estimates over $60 billion in unmet need in the state as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey and fully supports our federal delegation as it continues to work for additional recovery funding.

About GLO Community Development & Revitalization: The CDR program of the Texas General Land Office administers the Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) on behalf of the state of Texas. More than $9 billion have been allocated for recovery following Hurricanes Rita, Dolly, and Ike, the 2011 wildfires, the 2015 and 2016 floods, and Hurricane Harvey. These grants can be used for a wide variety of activities including housing redevelopment, infrastructure repair and long-term planning. CDR will keep impacted communities informed on developments. For more information, please visit TexasRebuilds.org.