Texas Homeowners Can Now Apply for Disaster Repair or Reimbursement Aid

In the wake of widespread devastation caused by severe storms and Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., has announced the launch of two critical recovery programs aimed at helping homeowners rebuild and recover. Through the Texas General Land Office (GLO), the state has opened applications for the Homeowner Assistance Program and the Homeowner Reimbursement Program, which are now available to residents in 27 federally designated disaster counties.

The programs are backed by over $287 million in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are part of a broader $555 million package designated for communities hardest hit by last year’s disasters.

“The Texas General Land Office’s housing programs have helped more than 12,000 Texas families rebuild their homes—and their lives,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “In 2024, many Texas communities experienced significant damage from devastating straight-line winds, tornados, and Hurricane Beryl. These new resources are a lifeline to families still working to put the pieces back together.”

Under the new initiative, the GLO has earmarked $244.1 million for the Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP), which offers repair and reconstruction aid for owner-occupied, single-family homes. An additional $43.1 million has been allocated to the Homeowner Reimbursement Program (HRP), which reimburses homeowners for eligible out-of-pocket repairs ranging from $3,000 to $75,000 for traditional homes and up to $50,000 for manufactured housing units.

Homeowners may apply for only one of the two programs, and the assistance applies solely to a homeowner’s primary residence. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the GLO is urging eligible residents to submit their materials as soon as possible.

The 27 eligible counties include: Anderson, Bell, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Hays, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Kaufman, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Wharton.

Applicants can visit recovery.texas.gov/apply to submit their materials or review the required document checklist. Assistance is available via email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-844-893-8937.

While the GLO is spearheading the statewide relief effort, Harris County and the City of Houston—also severely affected by the 2024 disasters—will administer their own separate recovery programs using the HUD funds allocated directly to them: $67.3 million to Harris County and $314.6 million to Houston.

The disaster recovery funds were designated following two major federal disaster declarations in Texas: DR-4781 (for storms, flooding, and tornadoes) and DR-4798 (for Hurricane Beryl). Combined, they represent one of the largest disaster recovery responses in Texas in recent years.

As communities across the state continue to rebuild, Commissioner Buckingham emphasized the importance of outreach and awareness.

“While many communities are familiar with the GLO’s housing efforts, others are navigating this process for the first time,” she said. “We encourage every eligible homeowner to take that first step and apply. This is about restoring homes—but more importantly, restoring hope.”

For more information, including videos explaining the application process and available services, visit recovery.texas.gov.