Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) urged the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to extend the deadline for homeowners who repaired their own homes following Hurricane Harvey to apply for reimbursement through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.

Recent jurisdictional conflicts between the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the City of Houston over which entity would administer the CDBG-DR funds has led to confusion over where homeowners should send applications for reimbursement.  With just weeks left until the HUD-mandated deadline of December 31, 2020, Congresswoman Fletcher called for a one-year extension of the deadline to December 31, 2021.

“Unfortunately, many residents have yet to receive any reimbursement for these authorized home repair expenses.  The jurisdictional dispute and resulting confusion about the process has left many people who are eligible to recover without the means to submit and follow-up on their applications,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher wrote.  “I am pleased that the city and the GLO have reached agreement, but it will take time to ensure that all applicants have the information they need and that all applications can be processed.”

Congresswoman Fletcher worked with local leaders, including Councilmember Abbie Kamin and Mayor Turner, to ensure $10 million in federal funding was made available for these reimbursements.  Homeowners interested in applying can begin the process here.

You can read Congresswoman Fletcher’s letter to HUD here.