Hurricane Disaster Recovery Fast Tracked in Texas

The Texas General Land Office plans to expand its rebuilding role following Hurricanes Dolly and Ike. Disaster recovery efforts affect more than 11 million Texans — or about 45 percent — in 62 counties.

The Land Office is now the lead state agency managing disaster recovery grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Gov. Rick Perry informed federal officials the change — effective July 1 — would bring more accountability to the state’s multi-billion dollar hurricane disaster recovery efforts.

The Land Office already has an extensive background in disaster recovery. After hurricanes Dolly and Ike, the agency successfully coordinated the cleanup of the Texas coast. The Land Office’s management of the additional disaster recovery grants will provide local communities a single contact, cut bureaucratic red tape and reduce administrative costs.

In July, the Land Office will award more than $197 million worth of disaster recovery grants for Round 2, Phase 1 of the ongoing program.

The Land Office will work to quicken the pace of rebuilding and repairing damaged homes. When completed the disaster recovery program will repair or replace more than 10,000 single-family homes or rental homes.

Source: General Land Office