Important Hurricane Ike
assistance information:
1. Employees who meet
income requirements and live in Harris County may be eligible for a six-month,
no-interest loan to repair their Ike-damaged roofs through the Department
of Housing & Community Development's Roof Repair
Program.
- The program provides a
six-month, no-interest, no-collateral
loan based on the cost of repair work in the agreement
signed by you, the roofing contractor and an HCD inspector. Here's how it
works:
- Apply for the program by
calling 713-522-4663
during normal business hours. An HCD employee will take your
information and submit your application.
- To be accepted, your family of
four must have a yearly total income of less than $67,238 per year. If you
live alone, the limit is $47,094. For families with two members, it's $53,763. For families with three members, it's
$60,500.
These limits
were raised to accommodate city employees.
- If you are accepted, a housing
inspector will inspect your house with a qualified, participating roofer.
The roofer will write the cost of repairs on a promissory note.
- You sign the promissory note,
agreeing to repay the city for the cost of the repairs. The note says
you will repay the cost of repairs to the city within 180 days, at 0%
interest, with no collateral required.
- Your roof will be
repaired/replaced within one week, weather permitting.The work and materials
are covered by warranty. HCD will pay the roofing contractor and the
homeowner will repay the city of Houston. You use your FEMA financial
assistance, other Ike-related assistance money, or other financial resources
to repay the city.
- To apply, or for
more information, call 713-522-4663 during normal
business hours. Or, talk to your HR liaison.
2. FEMA and the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development are offering rental assistance for qualified residents who
were displaced by Hurricane
Ike.
- Under the Disaster
Housing Assistance Program-Ike, as of Nov. 1, 2008, FEMA will pay all rent
subsidy, up to a certain amount, through April 30, 2009.
- Beginning May 1, 2009, families
will be responsible for paying $50 that month. Every month thereafter, the family's portion of the rent
will increase by $50 until the family is paying the full rent or until the
program ends March 2010 (deadline subject to
change).
- Some families may qualify for an
exemption to paying full rent because of economic hardship as
defined by HUD.
- To be eligible for DHAP-Ike, you
must register and be approved for assistance with FEMA. You may be
eligible for funds to pay for security and utility deposits. Rental assistance does not cover utility
bills. To apply for FEMA assistance, call 800-621-3362.
For more information about DHAP-Ike, visit www.houstonhurricanerecovery.org.or
call
866-373-9509.
3. On Thursday, Oct. 23,
the Blue Roof Program will end. If you need a
temporary roof to prevent further weather damage to your home, you may complete
the form in the HR Benefits section on the 4th floor of 611 Walker. You can call
713-837-9400 for more
information.