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Texas General Land Office outlines homeowner recovery grants and application process for Hardin County
Summary
A Texas General Land Office representative briefed Hardin County commissioners on two federal disaster-recovery programs covering hard-hit Zone 2 (including Hardin County): a $244 million Homeowners Assistance Program for repairs/reconstruction and a $43 million Homeowner Reimbursement Program; eligibility thresholds, documentation and a local in-person application event were announced.
Isabel Reyes of the Texas General Land Office briefed the Hardin County Commissioners Court on May 26 about two CDBG-DR disaster recovery programs available to residents in Zone 2, including Hardin County: the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) and the Homeowner Reimbursement Program (HRP).
Reyes said the state has allocated $244 million to HAP, which offers repair or reconstruction assistance to eligible homeowners, and $43 million to HRP, which reimburses eligible out-of-pocket expenses for repairs already completed. "Homeowners can only apply for one of the reimbursement aspect or the construction assistance aspect of it," Reyes said, and clarified program thresholds: reconstruction eligibility requires at least $8,000 in inspector-verified remaining repairs; reimbursement requires at least $3,000 in out-of-pocket expenses not covered by FEMA or insurance.
The presentation detailed allowable uses (repair, reconstruction, storm-ready roofing, minimum energy-efficiency building standards and some appliance and connection work), required documentation (proof of identity and legal status for all household members, proof of ownership and that the property was the primary residence at the time of the storm, proof of current mortgage status and lender consent if applicable, current property-tax payment or an active payment plan, and flood insurance when required). Reyes also noted income limits apply and that temporary relocation assistance of up to $7,000 may be available during construction for qualifying households.
Reyes estimated program processing typically averages six to eight months from application to completion, and said applications go through household-eligibility review followed by a site inspection contracted through AECOM. She gave contact options for residents: the GLO main office in Beaumont (M–F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) and satellite offices in Cold Spring (M & F, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Woodville (Tues & Thurs, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), and said the intake phone number is (844) 893-8937. The presenter also announced an in-person application event on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lumberton Church of Christ, 90 West Chance Road, where staff will accept applications and answer questions.
County officials asked about inspectors and eligibility verification; Reyes said inspections are performed by contracted inspectors (AECOM and contracted inspectors) after eligibility checks. She also said that applicants may have accepted insurance settlements and still qualify if they have remaining inspector-verified damages that meet program thresholds.
The presentation concluded with the court thanking the GLO representative and noting the upcoming in-person event and phone resources for residents seeking assistance.
