For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Hannah Savage | Carbonara Group | OFFICE: 713-524-8170 | CELL: 713-819-1320 | EMAIL: hannah@carbonaragroup.com
Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Announces Opening of Home Repair Assistance for Low-Income, Vulnerable Households Impacted by Hurricane Beryl
HOUSTON, TX (August 7, 2024) – Households in need of home repair services due to Hurricane Beryl can now access resources from the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance’s Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund. As part of the Disaster Alliance’s first round of grants that was announced last week, $1.9 million was invested in eight nonprofit partners to provide targeted home repair assistance for the most severely impacted who face financial challenges covering home repair costs.
Nonprofit partners receiving grants to provide home repair services include Covenant Community Capital, Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Hope Disaster Recovery, Houston Habitat for Humanity, Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together Houston, The Restoration Team and West Street Recovery.
Eligibility Criteria for Home Repair Assistance
• Households impacted by Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024 and its aftermath; and
• Reside in the City of Houston, Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery or Waller counties; and
• Are low-to-moderate income, defined as 80% or under Area Median Income (AMI); and
• Reside in a zip code disproportionately impacted by the storm, or are very low-income, defined as 50% or under AMI; and
• Are uninsured or under-insured homeowners; and
• Must have applied for FEMA individual assistance (regardless of outcome), unless ineligible for public assistance.
How to Get Help: Home Repair Assistance
• Eligible households in need of home repair services should complete one application with Connective by visiting www.connectivehomerepair.org;
• The intake form is in four languages, English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin (Chinese simplified) and Chinese (traditional) and can be completed by a homeowner themselves or anyone supporting them, including friends, family, case managers or navigators;
• Connective’s client resource team will review the applications and work with the applicant to collect any additional documents before determining if they are eligible for nonprofit-managed home repairs;
• Once approved for assistance, Connective will match applicants with a home repair agency best suited to meet their needs based on geography, spoken language, and available resources.
• The nonprofit agency will then work with the household to complete the damage assessment and facilitate repairs in collaboration with the household using public (e.g. FEMA) and private resources.
• Due to limited resources, the most impacted and vulnerable households will be provided home repair services, and an application does not guarantee home repairs.
To date, The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance has invested $3.15 million in grants from the fund to help area neighbors who are struggling to recover from financial losses and property damage caused by the July 8 storm. Grants are distributed through a trusted network of nonprofit partners based on the capability of each to provide needed services and geographical reach to the most impacted, low-income communities in the City of Houston and Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Waller counties. In addition to home repair services, this round of grants provides low-to-moderate income households with flexible emergency financial assistance to help offset the costs of crucial disaster recovery related expenses, as well as navigation support for people accessing additional recovery services, such as assistance from FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Since the Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund was launched on July 15, just over $5.4 million has been contributed from generous organizations and individuals. Fund leaders anticipate a second round of grants will be distributed in the coming weeks.
To give to the Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, visit www.disasteralliance.org/beryl.
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About United Way of Greater Houston United Way of Greater Houston connects people to possibility. We unite donors, volunteers and community partners in support of a focused plan to remove barriers on the path to financial stability for families and individuals. Programs focused on financial stability, early childhood and youth development, and physical and behavioral health care help our neighbors land on their feet and stay there. These programs are supported by a foundation of basic needs assistance and help for those escaping violence. For families and individuals who are ready, our individualized approach includes Navigators to guide them as they access multiple services on their unique journey to financial stability. United Way also connects our neighbors with help, hope and critical resources 24/7/365 through the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE. A focus on equity is integral to United Way’s work and program investments are evaluated on how diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is incorporated into policies, practices and service delivery. Our community investments are backed by research, ensured by good stewardship and deliver results. For more information, visit www.unitedwayhouston.org.
About Greater Houston Community Foundation Since 1995, Greater Houston Community Foundation has helped Houston thrive by convening philanthropic resources and knowledge to drive philanthropy in our community, distributing over $2.2 billion in grants recommended by its donors since inception. The organization supports high profile community and donor initiatives with the most comprehensive philanthropic resources, expertise, and innovative platforms. Greater Houston Community Foundation is widely considered to be the go-to partner for high-profile philanthropic partnerships in the Greater Houston area, including major disaster relief initiatives, such as the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund as well as Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Greater Houston Community Foundation leads collaborations that support the wellbeing and vitality of Houston, including Understanding Houston, a regional indicator initiative with strategic research partner Rice Kinder Institute. The Foundation provides individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and advisors with the ability to expand their philanthropic impact. For more information, please visit, www.ghcf.org.