AUSTIN — Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush is proud to announce that today in Dickinson, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) has completed repairs on the home of the first recipients of the Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair (DALHR) program. DALHR is one of five programs being offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Texans needing housing assistance following Hurricane Harvey.  The program provides permanent repairs for homeowners with moderate damages who lack available housing resources.

"It is truly an honor to be a part of the first Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair program in American history," said Commissioner Bush. "In partnership with FEMA, the county, and the city of Dickinson, we are proud to get started on helping a community rebuild."

View a video of Commissioner George P. Bush's trip to Dickinson to visit with the first recipients of the DALHR program (interviews included).

The DALHR program is one of several housing solutions for Texans after Hurricane Harvey. FEMA determines if applicants are eligible and pairs them with the best available housing solution to meet their individual needs. Not everyone will be eligible, but it will provide needed support to those survivors who do qualify. Direct housing is provided as a temporary solution by FEMA at the request of the state and is not intended to be a permanent housing option with the exception of DALHR for flood survivors.

On Nov. 3, Commissioner Bush visited Dickinson to survey the damage caused by flood waters as work began on the home of the first recipient of the Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair program.

Repairs to this home included electrical and plumbing repair, wall insulation, sheet rock, siding repair, and providing a replacement kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and bathtub.

The first step to be considered eligible for direct housing assistance is to be registered with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov, 1-800-621-3362, TTY 1-800-462-7585 or visit a nearby Disaster Recovery Center. 

Eligibility

• Applicants may be eligible for DALHR if they are pre-disaster home owners whose residence has undergone a FEMA-issued inspection with a FEMA verified loss of $17,000.  Impacted homes must have received 18-inches of water or greater in the home.

• Specific considerations for DALHR include:
  • Repairs must be completed within 90 days from the start of the repair work.
  • Damages are less than fifty percent of the pre-event tax assessed value of the home and may not exceed $60,000.
  • Damages are not covered by insurance.
  • Any home located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) shall not be considered for DAHLR repairs unless in accordance with applicable federal, and local laws, regulations and ordinances and can be repaired in the cost limits.
  • Applicants eligible for DAHLR that have received FEMA repair assistance, must provide documentation and receipts, or return their repair money to FEMA to be eligible for the program.

• DALHR participants must reside in a county designated for Direct Housing.
  • Designated counties are: Aransas, Austin, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Lavaca, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller and Wharton.

• Once FEMA provides eligible applicant information and housing solution to the GLO, the state will work with local governments to contact applicants and provide housing solution.

Repairs under DALHR

• Direct home repairs are limited to real property components such as heating, plumbing, ventilation and air conditioning, walls, floors and ceilings.
  • Repairs may not cover structural elements or other items requiring architectural or other engineering services.
  • Repairs cannot be made to items eligible under other assistance programs, such as furnishings and appliances.

• The Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Council of Governments (COGs) will identify contractors for the repairs.

• GLO and FEMA may walk through the repaired property with the homeowner prior to move-in to ensure the repaired structure complies with guidelines and standards.

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