City seeks federal assistance for Harvey-affected homeowners
"This is not an overnight process," said
Johnson discussed the program Friday at the
The city is in the process of getting into an agreement with the state, but the funds come from the
Johnson explained to members how the program would work to help those within city limits who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The Home Investment Partnerships Program primarily works with homeowners who are current with their taxes or in a payment plan and meet an income requirement of 80 percent of the median income.
Johnson said this would be
If the survivor received funds to repair their home from the
But in her experience, applicants face a challenge with eligibility.
"You have to have a clear title, and that can be a problem," she said.
Residents often don't have a title when the home is passed down from family.
"This is kind of like the second wave of people we are seeing," she said.
The organization has provided low-income Harvey survivors with free legal services.
Johnson said once the program is approved, GrantWorks will start accepting applications and will help assist in the paperwork process.
The program covers up to
According to the firm's website, during the past 20 years, GrantWorks has secured more than
The city has used this program in the past to help homeowners with disabilities, Johnson said.
During the meeting, several organizations reported progress on repairing damaged homes, with much of the labor done by volunteers.
Since the last meeting, Mennonite Disaster Service finished two more extensive home remodels in
"We have work lined up through the fall," said
The unmet needs committee granted
Good things are happening because of the work of volunteers and donations from nonprofit organizations, said
"People that have serious needs are being helped every day," she said. "Each case is being vetted, and checks are written to the suppliers."
Longoria said he's impressed with the progress the group has made in the past five months.
"It seems like there's just an energy or a unity to the group," he said. "The quicker that we can collaborate and coordinate, the quicker we can get people back in their homes."
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