With 367 miles of coastline, Texas is no stranger to the approach and impact of hurricanes. In 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Gov. Perry designated the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) as the state’s lead agency for housing disaster recovery.  Since that time, TDHCA has awarded $405 million in housing funds for southeast Texas recovery, provided long-term affordable housing solutions for over 100,000 Katrina evacuees; and financed the placement of approximately 150 units of pre-fabricated modular housing through an alternative housing pilot program.

In the fall of 2005, Texas felt the extreme impact of both hurricanes Rita and Katrina, which left the state with recovery needs of $2 billion. In the aftermath of Katrina’s landfall, Texas hosted more than 400,000 evacuees from several Gulf Coast states in need of food, shelter and clothing.  Weeks later, Rita hit southeast Texas and damaged more than 75,000 homes and businesses, leaving parts of the region without power and water for weeks. In this time of devastation, there was a clear need for on-scene assistance and the coordination of aid offered by various entities.

Within days of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, Gov. Perry, in conjunction with TDHCA, secured several waivers from the U.S. Treasury Department to expedite the relocation of evacuees into affordable housing developments across the state.  The governor and TDHCA also worked closely with statewide apartment and hotel/motel associations to identify short and long term housing solutions.  Shortly after Rita’s landfall, Gov. Perry met with local, state, and federal leaders of affected communities to determine how to best assist the largest number of people with available housing options.  In conjunction with TDHCA and numerous non-profit and faith-based organizations, the governor submitted a plan to the federal government requesting $2 billion in aid for the state.

In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $74.5 million in federal funds to the State of Texas, far short of the documented $2 billion needed.  The governor continued to press Congress for additional funds and in April 2007, HUD awarded an additional $428.6 million to the state.  The governor put TDHCA in charge of administering these housing and infrastructure repair funds, and instructed the agency to work closely with the Office of Rural Community Affairs and non-profit organizations.  By December 2007, TDHCA had allocated the State’s entire balance of $503 million in disaster recovery Community Development Block Grant funds.

For more information about TDHCA’s programs, please visit the Department’s website at www.tdhca.state.tx.us.