Help Available For Those Facing Disaster-Related Foreclosure Or Eviction
Release Date: September 10, 2001
Release Number: 1379-101
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Houston, TX -- For homeowners and renters facing mortgage foreclosure or eviction because of economic hardships related to Tropical Storm Allison, help may be available.
"Our top priority is keeping people in their homes," said Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "And in some cases that might mean helping those who are facing mortgage foreclosure or eviction get through a difficult time."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program is part of FEMA's Temporary Disaster Housing Program, which may provide rental assistance to those who have been displaced by flooding, or limited grant funds to homeowners to make a home livable with minimal repairs. Mortage and rental assistance is designed:
- For those who have suffered documented disaster-related financial hardship, such as lost employment or business income;
- For those unable to make their housing payment due to the disaster;
- For those who have received a written notice of foreclosure or eviction as a result of financial hardship created by the disaster.
Recovery officials from FEMA and the State of Texas encourage those affected by Tropical Storm Allison, who live in any of the 31 counties designated eligible for assistance to individuals, to register for federal and state disaster assistance. They should call FEMA's toll-free application number at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585 for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). The registration lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. The deadline to apply for assistance is October 7, 2001.
If an individual has already registered for disaster assistance with FEMA, he or she can call the Disaster Information Helpline or visit a Disaster Recovery Center to up-date their application. The Helpline number is 1-800-525-0321 and help is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 10:57:28