Hurricane Rita Disaster Aid And Loans Top $988 Million
$376 Million in Public Assistance Goes To Texas for Disaster-Related Reimbursements
Release Date: February 1, 2007
Release Number: 1606-274
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- Individuals and families in Texas affected by Hurricane Rita have received more than $988 million in disaster assistance, including grants from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The following provides a snapshot of the ongoing disaster recovery effort:
- 479,942 Texans applied for disaster assistance from FEMA following Hurricane Rita.
- To date, FEMA has provided more than $516 million in housing assistance grants to homeowners and renters in Texas who suffered damages from Hurricane Rita. The grants help pay for home repairs, temporary housing, and personal property replacement. Other Needs Assistance grants—which help pay for serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources—total more than $94 million. The State of Texas has provided 25 percent, or $23 million, of Other Needs Assistance.
- The SBA approved $378 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and business owners in Texas affected by Hurricane Rita. Of that amount, home loans accounted for $254 million, and business and economic injury loans accounted for more than $123 million.
- On behalf of FEMA, the State of Texas approved 7,926 claims and disbursed more than $6 million in Disaster Unemployment Assistance to displaced workers or those unable to work because of the disaster.
- FEMA inspectors completed 351,140 home inspections, looking at both structure and contents to verify damages and uninsured losses.
- At peak occupancy, FEMA leased 4,297 households in 4,603 travel trailers in Southeast Texas. (Larger households may require multiple units.) Currently 2,084 households remain in 2,250 units. The number of travel trailers in use continues to decrease, as more pre-disaster renters find available apartments and homeowners finish their repair and restoration work.
- FEMA further obligated more than $376 million in Public Assistance funds to the State of Texas to reimburse local jurisdictions for eligible and documented expenses associated with Hurricane Rita, including debris removal and emergency protective measures.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (under mission assignment by FEMA), along with cities and counties, hauled away an estimated 8.71 million cubic yards of hurricane debris.
FEMA urges applicants to update their contact information by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech-or hearing-impaired, or by visiting www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 01-Feb-2007 15:20:42