Four-hundred twenty-five million dollars is on its way to Houston for housing recovery. The money from FEMA will establish a temporary housing program for Hurricane Harvey victims. Houston City Council formally voted to accept the disaster relief funds under contract with the Texas General Land Office.
Much of the funding will go to help homeowners without insurance to pay for repairs. Tom McCasland, the city’s director of housing and community development, told the council his office was only waiting on their vote to get to work.
Several council members expressed concerns not enough of the funds would go to help renters. McCasland effectively said those concerns are justified.
Mayor Sylvester Turner said that while the funds are welcome, they are nowhere near adequate to Houston’s needs. The city is seeking another $10 billion in block grants from HUD.