More Than $1.2 Billion In Disaster Assistance For Texans
Release Date: December 6, 2008
Release Number: 1791-310
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike
AUSTIN, Texas -- In less than 90 days, more than $1.2 billion has been approved to help storm-struck Texas residents, businesses and communities that suffered damage from Hurricane Ike.
The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at close of business Dec. 5:
- Nearly $325 million has been disbursed for temporary housing assistance and home repairs, under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). More than 496,500 applicants have been referred to IHP for assistance. The registration deadline is Dec.12, less than one week away.
- More than $82.3 million in Other Needs Assistance (ONA) has been disbursed to help meet serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other aid programs. These include personal property, moving and storage, transportation, medical and burial expenses.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved nearly $389 million in low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits. SBA approved more than $30 million in the last week alone.
- Individuals who have been unable to work because of the disaster have received nearly $3.2 million from a special Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program which may assist people not normally covered by unemployment insurance. The DUA application deadline is Dec.12.
- FEMA has obligated $144 million in Public Assistance aid for eligible local governments for debris removal, emergency protective services and infrastructure repairs.
- To date, 3,537 applicants have been found eligible for manufactured housing. Agreements have been signed by 1,769 occupants and they have moved in or will be moving in soon. Currently, there are 402 manufactured housing units in the installation process. Recovery specialists are going door to door in all affected communities to identify residents who may not want to leave their homes as they repair and rebuild. FEMA may be able to provide them with temporary manufactured homes.
- FEMA has been billed more than $261 million for Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA). There currently are 4,492 applicants checked into hotels and motels. Under TSA, FEMA provides payments directly to hotels for disaster victims who have not yet found long-term housing. This number is decreasing daily as Texans move into more stable housing environments. The deadline for the TSA program is Jan. 15, 2009 for eligible applicants.
- FEMA inspectors have completed 382,184 inspections of damaged homes or 99 percent of inspections issued.
- There are 17 FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers open in affected counties, offering face-to-face assistance. A list of current locations can be found at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/dr1791_drc_list.htm). Nearly 125,000 visits have been made to the centers.
Residents and business owners with Ike-related losses may register for disaster assistance online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Personnel are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take applications.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 08-Dec-2008 11:01:30