Government - page 47

The Texas Rent Relief Program is here to help. COVID-19 has affected Texans across the state. They have emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). As of February 25, 2021, more than $1 billion in funds is still available.

Both landlords and tenants can use this website to create an account and submit their applications. If you need assistance completing an application, our customer service staff can complete the application with you by phone by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368).

The Texas Rent Relief Program can help renters with the following costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020 (this means you could potentially request assistance for up to 11 months of past-due bills):

• Past due, current, and up to 3 months of expected rent costs
• Past due, current, or up to 3 months of expected utility and home energy expenses
• After the initial 3 months of forward assistance, you can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available

For Landlords applying for unpaid or future rent on behalf of tenants:

• All payments must be used to satisfy the tenant’s rental obligations.
• The tenant must sign the application.

Both landlords and tenants can apply here.

Low-interest federal disaster loans (SBA) are now available to Orange County businesses and residents as a result of the disaster declaration. Funds can be used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. Businesses may borrow up to $2M and households may borrow between $40K – $200K for repair/replacement of damages.

Before qualifying for SBA, homeowners must go through the Federal assistance process (FEMA). For more information you may contact:
Virtual Business Recovery Center
Monday – Friday/8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955

You can also apply online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/.

Orange County has been declared to receive FEMA Individual Assistance (Households). Individuals who sustained losses due to the winter storm and DO NOT have insurance can now apply for federal assistance. If your property was damaged and you don’t have insurance, apply for assistance now, You can apply in one of three ways:

• Visit: www.disasterassistance.gov
• Call: 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585)
• Download: FEMA App

Following Winter Storm Uri, the Orange County Office of Emergency Management is encouraging all residents in Orange County and the entire Southeast Texas area to self-report any damages to their homes and/or businesses via the portal and website below.

If you sustained damage to your home or business as a result of Uri, please utilize these links(s) to submit a damage survey. Within the survey, you will have the opportunity to upload photos of your damages. Please make sure photos are clear and depict all damages.

This voluntary self-reporting is very important to establish damage thresholds for our county and state. It is not a substitute for reporting damages to your insurance agent. Residents and businesses that have insurance policies should also report damages to your insurance agents AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Please report your damages here.