Hurricane Harvey survivors living in temporary housing units (THUs) provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) need to solidify their housing plans leading up to Feb. 25. Those who continue to meet FEMA eligibility requirements may be approved to remain in their current THU through Aug. 25 by paying rent. Others may be eligible to purchase their unit. However, these programs must be approved by local officials and may not be available in all areas.
The THU and direct-lease-apartment program was originally planned to run through Feb. 25, 2019. However, on Nov. 28, 2018, Commissioner George P. Bush announced FEMA granted his request for a six-month extension for Hurricane Harvey survivors still residing in federally funded manufactured housing units and travel trailers. Although the housing program has been extended through Aug. 25, 2019, those who remain in the program after Feb. 25 will be expected to pay rent to FEMA. Survivors who cannot afford fair-market rent are able to petition for a reduction by contacting FEMA.
Occupants who have questions about renting THUs can get more information and be connected with a case manager by emailing femadr4332txrent@fema.dhs.gov.
Also at the request of Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, FEMA granted a THU Sales to Occupants program for Hurricane Harvey survivors still residing in federally funded manufactured housing units and travel trailers. Now certain Harvey survivors in THUs have been offered the opportunity to purchase their current unit. The sales offer is only good for 30 days after the notification letter was sent to the occupant. To be eligible to purchase a THU, the survivor must lack a permanent housing solution, through no fault of their own.
Each THU's sale price will be determined by FEMA based on the unit type, number of bedrooms and number of months the applicant lived in the unit. Applicants who are unable to afford the sale price may appeal the cost to FEMA.
Occupants who have questions about purchasing THUs can call 855-336-2003 or fax 512-490-1248.
For additional information on Hurricane Harvey and Texas recovery, visit FEMA's Hurricane Harvey disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4332, Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FEMAHarvey, the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or the Texas General Land Office website at Recovery.Texas.Gov.
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