The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for Texas, following Hurricane Beryl's impact from July 5 to July 9, 2024. This measure is intended to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the affected areas.
President Biden issued a major disaster declaration covering Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Cameron, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Goliad, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin Harris Harrison Hidalgo Houston Jackson Jasper Jefferson Kenedy Kleberg Lavaca Lee Leon Liberty Madison Marion Matagorda Milam Montgomery Morris Nacogdoches Newton Nueces Orange Panola Polk Refugio Robertson Rusk Sabine San Augustine San Jacinto San Patricio Shelby Trinity Tyler Upshur Victoria Walker Waller Washington Webb Wharton and Willacy Counties.
Effective immediately:
- HUD is providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. A 90-day extension is also granted automatically for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The moratorium and extension are effective from the President’s disaster declaration date.
- Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately for assistance. Conventional mortgage holders may also be eligible for additional relief through their mortgage holder.
- For more information on FHA-related disaster relief options homeowners can call the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 or visit the FHA Disaster Relief site.
Additionally:
- HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims when homes are destroyed or damaged requiring reconstruction or complete replacement. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing including closing costs.
- HUD's Section 203(k) loan program allows individuals to finance both the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. Homeowners can also finance rehabilitation if their existing homes are damaged.
- Information will be shared with FEMA and the State on housing providers that may have available units in impacted counties. The Department will connect FEMA and the State to subject matter experts regarding HUD programs and providers.
- Recipients of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA), Continuum of Care (CoC), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), HOME Program funds can apply for administrative flexibility in response to natural disasters.
Public Housing Agencies can apply for waivers and flexibilities needed for disaster relief and recovery. Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities can apply for regulatory waivers needed for administrative flexibility.
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to assist those impacted by natural disasters in determining assistance needs and available resources. Individuals do not need an FHA-insured mortgage to meet with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
Lastly:
Housing discrimination sometimes occurs when people attempt to find housing following a disaster. HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist those who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. Complaints can be filed by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD's website.
