Celebrating 1,000+ homes rebuilt and counting

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey damaged thousands of homes and devastated the livelihoods of countless Texans. After the storm, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) wasted no time creating and implementing the largest single program designed to help rebuild the lives of thousands of Texas families.

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush proudly announced the GLO has completely rebuilt more than 1,000 homes for Texas families through the Homeowner Assistance Program. This achievement marks an important milestone in a program that is anticipated to rebuild over 7,000 homes using available $1.8 billion in Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More than 2,700 applicants have been approved for assistance by the GLO and approximately 800 homes are currently under construction in addition to those completed.

This mission is deeply personal to GLO staff who work every day to not only rebuild homes, but lives.

Commissioner George P. Bush

“The GLO’s disaster recovery team continues working hard every day to help Texas families rebuild their homes and their lives following one of this nation’s largest and most destructive storms. Today we celebrate a significant achievement in helping more than 1,000 Texas families get back in safe, comfortable homes. The GLO disaster recovery team adapted quickly to the teleworking environment and incorporated innovative technologies, such as video conferencing for permit inspections, to keep the recovery moving forward. Hurricane Harvey’s destruction was massive, and the recovery is long and challenging, but the GLO will continue to work every day to help Texans rebuild.”

Brittany Eck, GLO-CDR

“When Hurricane Harvey was approaching Texas I was extremely anxious and concerned because I knew that a storm of this magnitude was going to have an incredible effect on our state and that the recovery was going to take years. But what I could not have fathomed was the amazing opportunity it would become to work with my team members at the Texas General Land Office and all of our partners and local communities, our builders and our vendors, and the folks that really care about making sure that these families have a safe and secure place to live. Now we are 1,000 homes completed and that’s just an incredible feeling to know that a thousand families are back home thanks to the work that we’ve done. This is really just a monumental effort and we couldn’t do it without all of the people involved and I’m so excited to be a part of the Texas General Land Office’s disaster recovery effort.”

Joe Anguiano, GLO-CDR

“I am very proud that we have reached the milestone of rebuilding over 1,000 homes for our Texas citizens who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. I am part of the Homeowner Assistance Program that is administered at the Texas General Land Office. It is an honor to work for this program and for the state of Texas to ensure that our citizens are returning back to their homes Texas strong.”

Jerry Rahm, GLO-CDR

“I’m so excited we just finished our one thousandth house. I can’t wait to build the next thousand. It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Texas.”

Rhonda Masters, GLO-CDR

“To celebrate 1,000 homes completed, it’s a tremendous milestone and I thank the Texas General Land Office for everything we’re doing to make it come about. I’m a hurricane survivor. My home was damaged and it took us more than a year to get back into our home, so I know what it means to have your sense of safety and security taken away. I also know what it means to have it restored.”

Colin Nickells, GLO-CDR

“The Texas General Land Office recently reconstructed its one thousandth home as part of its Hurricane Harvey long-term recovery efforts. It is an honor to work with such a dedicated, highly skilled team that works tirelessly to put Texans back in their homes. This is a major milestone but we’re not done yet.”

Christa Lopez, GLO-CDR

“Being part of the team that’s built over a thousand homes for Texans after Hurricane Harvey is just incredible. We are so happy to be able to serve our fellow citizens in this manner. Thank you all for allowing us to be a part of this recovery process with you.”

Vivian from Austin County

“Thank you to the GLO’s Homeowners Assistance Program. I am now able to return home to a safer and healthier environment. One year ago, I applied for the program and could never have expected what was about to change my life forever. Thank you Commissioner George P. Bush and your wonderful team at the GLO. We were walked through the process and treated with complete professionalism.”

Jake from Aransas County

“My grandmother is a recent recipient of a new home located in Aransas County built by RM Quality Construction for the GLO of Texas Program. They would like to take the time to thank all those involved, who gave their time & resources to have a new home built to replace Ms. Alba’s home that was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. Ms. Alba is grateful for this blessing, without the efforts of so many good people involved this miracle would not be possible. This is a wonderful program that has & continues to help those in need.”

Robert from San Patricio County

“I would like to take just a little moment to give my thanks to all personal involved in the construction of my home. The experience of seeing the construction of my home take place and finished was a great joy. I have had some experience in construction myself; I find that this house was built in a high standard construction techniques and quality. Every corner cut, nailed and painted was perfect, in the interior and the exterior.”

Brooke from Galveston County

“This is why you do what you do. Providing unbelievable joy to so many families after years of constant turmoil compliments of mother nature.”

Homeowner Reimbursement Program

In addition to the success of the Homeowner Assistance Program, the Homeowner Reimbursement Program has approved more than 2,300 applications for more than $67 million in disaster funds for applicants. The GLO allocated $100 million for the reimbursement program for out-of-pocket expenses for eligible repairs to primary residences damaged by Hurricane Harvey. The GLO is administering these two programs for homeowners across 48 counties that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

Multifamily Affordable Rental Program

The GLO is also helping renters by allocating $586 million to rehabilitate, reconstruct and construct 82 affordable multifamily developments, or 6083 units, damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 48 eligible counties. The Multifamily Affordable Rental Program is improving local housing inventory and ensure low income citizens and families have safe, habitable, and affordable places to live. To be considered for funding, at least 51% of the units must be designated for low- to moderate-income families with rents capped at HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) limits. A family is considered low- to moderate-income if they earn 80% or less than the Area Median Family Income (AMFI). Of the 6083 affordable rental units being repaired or reconstructed, 4885 will be guaranteed for low- to moderate-income renters. Each apartment complex will be restricted for low income housing for 20 years after completion of new construction and 15 years after completion of repairs.

Recovery continues strong

GLO staff remain committed to bringing families home, restoring their lives, and helping them regain a sense of normalcy. The progress made so far is an important milestone, but we have not reached the finish line yet. Hurricane Harvey’s destruction was massive, and the recovery is long and challenging, but the GLO will continue to work every day to help Texans rebuild.