Hurricane Rita Disaster Assistance And Loans Top $986.5 Million
$917 Million Additional in Public Assistance Goes to Texas for Rita and Katrina-related reimbursements
Release Date: December 18, 2006
Release Number: 1606-269
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- Families and individuals who suffered damage from Hurricane Rita have been approved to receive more than $986.5 million in disaster assistance, including grants from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Recovery Services Summary as of close of business Dec. 17, 2006:
- Almost 480,000 individuals registered for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
- A total of $609.2 million has been approved through the Individuals and Household Program. Of that, FEMA has provided $514.8 million in Individual Assistance and $94.4 million in Other Needs Assistance. The State of Texas provided 25 percent, or more than $23.6 million, of the Other Needs Assistance.
- More than $377.3 million in low-interest loans has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations affected by Hurricane Rita in Texas. Of that amount, $253.9 million was approved for homeowners and renters and $123.4 million for businesses and private, nonprofit organizations.
- More than $6 million was paid out in Disaster Unemployment Assistance to 7,926 claimants during the benefit period.
- Some 351,099 home inspections have been completed.
- Since Hurricane Rita made landfall, FEMA has leased 4,603 rent-free travel trailers to 4,297 households (some larger households have multiple trailers). Currently 2,382 families are leasing 2,570 rent-free units.
- More than $917 million in Public Assistance has been obligated to Texas by FEMA. The funds are being used by the State of Texas to reimburse local governments and agencies for eligible and documented costs for debris removal, temporary sheltering, interim housing and emergency protective measures associated with Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
- Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the hurricanes may update their information by calling the FEMA tele-registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech-or hearing-impaired, or online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 18-Dec-2006 17:28:54