AUSTIN — The Texas General Land Office's (GLO) is encouraging potential applicants for the Homeowner Assistance Program and Homeowner Reimbursement Program to finalize and submit draft applications before the December 31, 2019, deadline. The successful efforts by the GLO to get applications submitted to rebuild homes and provide reimbursement for eligible repair expenses is bringing the application submission process to a quick conclusion.

"The GLO is turning federal recovery funds in to housing repairs and reimbursements for Harvey homeowners at a record pace," said GLO spokesperson Brittany Eck. "To be considered for remaining funding, applications must be submitted for evaluation by Dec. 31, 2019. Applications left in draft status will not be considered, and chances that funds will remain available is very slim. If you are a homeowner and still need assistance, you need to complete your application and submit it for review as quickly as possible. We are proud to be setting a record pace towards helping thousands of Texas families rebuild their homes and their lives."

All potential applicants must submit completed applications by December 31, 2019, to be considered for eligibility pending funding availability. Applications left in draft status will not be considered for funding. Applicants must submit an application in order to be placed in line for eligibility review. Submitted applications continue to be reviewed based on the order each is received - while funding is still available.

Thus far the GLO has approved nearly 2,000 applications for construction, with more than 700 homes currently under construction and nearly 400 homes completed with keys in the hands of homeowners. The Homeowner Reimbursement Program has successfully reimbursed almost 1,000 applicants for over $30,000,000. More than 4,000 applications are undergoing eligibility review and more than 4,100 applications remain in the draft stage under the Homeowner Assistance Program, while the Homeowner Reimbursement program has more than 7,500 applications in draft status and almost 2,300 undergoing eligibility review. Applications are not put in line for review until it is submitted and no longer in draft status. The GLO continues processing completed applications with the expectation of rebuilding or reimbursing approximately 10,000 homeowners under both programs for those needing assistance with available funds.

The program offices will remain open to help applicants. Applicants wishing to speak with the program about their application can contact their case managers directly, email cdr@recovery.texas.gov or call 1-844-893-8937. Applicants having trouble locating federally required documentation should contact the program offices as soon as possible to receive assistance.

Homeowners can continue to submit applications until December 31, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.; however, submitting a complete application does not guarantee eligibility nor funding availability, but applicants must submit their applications by the deadline to be reviewed for potential eligibility. Homeowners in all eligible counties can also submit an application online or in-person at one of the Homeowner Assistance Program and Homeowner Reimbursement Program offices.

"The GLO's massively successful Homeowner Assistance and Reimbursement Programs are helping thousands of Texans who are still in need of help to rebuild their homes and their lives," Eck continued. "The GLO allocated more than $1.4 billion these programs, but funds are quickly running out. While program teams are helping get folks across 48 counties to reach eligibility for critical assistance, others are conducting site inspections and getting funds moving forward to help folks recover."

The GLO allocated $1.334 billion in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for rehabilitation and reconstruction of thousands of owner-occupied single-family homes in 48 counties that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, the GLO allocated $100 million to the state's first ever Homeowner Reimbursement program, offering homeowners assistance with reimbursements for eligible expenses not covered by insurance of other assistance. Homeowners in Harris County and the city of Houston can apply for similar programs funded by direct allocations at the local level.

The Homeowner Assistance Program and Homeowner Reimbursement Program are administered by the Texas General Land Office. Homeowners with questions or concerns may email cdr@recovery.texas.govor call 1-844-893-8937. For more information, visit http://recovery.texas.gov/hap.