Published: 09-25-08
Gov. Perry: Federal Funding Approved for Texas Workers Affected by Ike
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today joined U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Steve Preston and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Harvey Johnson to announce a rental assistance program for Texans displaced by Hurricane Ike. The program created at Gov. Perry’s request will help Texans find intermediate housing and provide temporary rental payments.
“Texans whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Ike are not alone as they face the task of rebuilding” said Gov. Perry. “I am thankful that our partners at HUD and FEMA have responded quickly and effectively to our request for assistance for Texans in need.”
The program titled Disaster Housing Assistance Program - IKE (DHAP-IKE) is a coordinated effort between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and HUD to provide a transparent and predictable means to deliver timely rental assistance to eligible families displaced by the hurricane. The program is designed to encourage families to move from their current shelter in place directly to DHAP-IKE rental units.
Evacuees who cannot return to their homes or apartments by Nov. 1 2008 due to Hurricane Ike’s devastation and that FEMA determines eligible will be provided rental assistance. HUD through its network of Public Housing Agencies will work with families and landlords to ensure eligible families can find suitable apartments.
Initially HUD will provide full rental assistance to approved families and beginning May 1 2009 families will be responsible for paying $50 per month for their housing. The cost for housing will increase by $50 each month until the DHAP-IKE program ends in April 2010.
Families in need of housing assistance must first register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting www.FEMA.gov. HUD will soon establish a 1-800 number for Ike evacuees to call and get help understanding DHAP-Ike.
A joint State-Federal Housing Task Force initiated at Gov. Perry’s direction last week is focused on long-term housing needs and solutions. The task force is working with FEMA and HUD to develop a more comprehensive strategic housing response to Hurricane Ike. Today’s announcement is a key outcome of this group’s cooperative effort.
Federal Funding Approved for Texas Workers Affected by Ike
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved a $15.9 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) with $7950000 released initially to fund 600 temporary jobs in 29 Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Ike.
“Thanks to our federal partners this funding for temporary jobs will be invaluable to the Texans devastated in the wake of Hurricane Ike” said Gov. Perry. “Through the Texas Workforce Commission these funds will help hard working Texans continue to support their families as they begin rebuilding their homes and lives.”
The NEG funds can be used to provide wages and benefits to eligible temporary job participants for the next six months in Angelina Austin Brazoria Chambers Cherokee Fort Bend Galveston Grimes Hardin Harris Houston Jasper Jefferson Liberty Madison Matagorda Montgomery Nacogdoches Newton Orange Polk Sabine San Augustine San Jacinto Trinity Tyler Walker Waller and Washington counties.
“Hurricane Ike has devastated major areas in Southeast Texas” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. “With this emergency funding TWC will be able to provide temporary jobs to help speed the recovery of those areas of our state most impacted by Hurricane Ike. Through temporary jobs employment assistance and disaster-related unemployment benefits TWC stands ready to help.”
The project will create temporary employment to assist in clean-up and recovery efforts as a result of Hurricane Ike. Local workforce development board areas impacted by the hurricane and funded by TWC will coordinate with local and county governments to provide the temporary jobs.
Workers displaced by Hurricane Ike should visit their local workforce boards to apply for benefits. For a list of locations visit www.texasworkforce.org
Additionally to date TWC has processed more than 34400 claims for disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits for those workers whose employment agricultural employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Ike. In addition TWC and its local workforce boards will assist workers displaced as a result of the disaster through mobile workforce centers employer assistance and partnering with local organizations to provide housing transportation and reintegration assistance.
For more information on the NEG program please visit www.twc.state.tx.us or www.dol.gov
