AUSTIN — Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the Homeowner Reimbursement Program will be beginning the application process Feb. 28, 2019. In advance of the application release date, Commissioner Bush is encouraging potential applicants to visit the website, Recovery.Texas.gov/HRP, to learn the specifics of the program and review the Homeowner Reimbursement Program Checklist to have all applicable documents ready prior to applying.

"Texans have proved incredibly resilient in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and many folks have poured their life savings into making their house a home again," said Commissioner Bush. "The GLO is working to spread the word that help is on the way. In advance of the application being released, we encourage interested homeowners to begin preparing documentation for potential reimbursement."

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) allocated $100 million in Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reimburse homeowners up to $50,000 for eligible out-of-pocket expenses incurred for repairs to their Hurricane Harvey damaged home, including reconstruction, rehabilitation or mitigation. Homeowners in Harris County and the city of Houston will be able to apply for similar programs funded by direct allocations.

In accordance with HUD requirements, to be eligible for this program:

• The home must be the owner's primary residence.
• The homeowner must be able to provide proof of damage from Hurricane Harvey.
• The homeowner must be able to provide receipts and/or invoices for eligible repairs.
• Eligible repairs must have been completed prior to the application launch date of Feb. 28, 2019. 
• Additional criteria may apply.

In accordance with HUD requirements, homeowners are not eligible if:

• The home is in the City of Houston or Harris County, which will fund repair programs through their respective direct allocations.
• The home is in a 100-year floodplain, was substantially damaged and is not at least 2 feet above the base elevation.
• The home is in a 100-year floodplain, and the household income is greater than 120% area median income and homeowner did not have flood insurance on August 24, 2017.
• Homeowner received prior disaster relief assistance for home located in a 100-year floodplain and did not maintain flood insurance.
• The home is in a floodway, which is an area designed to flood.
• The home may also not be eligible if there is asbestos or lead based paint that was not remediated.  

Households that meet the low- to moderate-income (LMI) threshold will receive prioritized application processing for the first 30 days, but all homeowners are encouraged to apply immediately. Non-LMI households will be considered for eligibility in order of application submission.

Potential applicants should visit Recovery.Texas.gov/HRP for more information and review the Homeowner Reimbursement Program Checklist to have all applicable documents ready prior to applying. Applicants will be able to submit all their application material electronically and the GLO's program team will assist households that cannot submit electronic applications. 

Potential applicants can also find in-person assistance at regional Homeowner Reimbursement Program offices serving their area. Locations to be announced soon. For assistance, email cdr@recovery.texas.gov or call 1-844-893-8937.

###