HUD rejects state’s spending plan for Ike funds

By Rhiannon Meyers
The Daily News
Published November 17, 2009

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rejected the state’s plan to allocate the second round of $1.7 billion in federal disaster recovery funding, sending Texas officials back to the drawing board.

According to a Nov. 10 letter from HUD Assistant Secretary Mercedes Marquez to Gov. Rick Perry, some of the federal government’s chief concerns were that:

• Texas did not provide enough opportunities for residents to comment on the plans to spend disaster money on housing and infrastructure;

• The state did not update its plan to promote fair housing;

• The state’s plan is too heavily focused on mitigating future disasters instead of restoring infrastructure and housing; and

• The plan did not describe how Texas plans to allocate funds to units of local government.

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Legal help for victims of Hurricane Ike

If you need legal advice, TexasLawHelp.org offers LiveHelp for Texans who have been affected by Hurricane Ike. Visit TexasLawHelp.org and click on the purple box that says “Need disaster relief help?” A volunteer lawyer will answer your questions.

Katrina/Rita Transitional Assistance Program Set to Close Out in August

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is urging families still receiving Katrina/Rita transitional housing assistance to contact HUD to ensure that they are considered for rental vouchers, which are not time limited. A toll-free number, 1-800-955-2232, has been set up to make the process as easy as possible.

HUD issued a reminder today that families will receive the final rent payment for a six-month transitional disaster housing program on August 1, 2009, covering the rent through August 31st. The program was created to give families who participated in the Katrina/Rita Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) more time to find permanent housing. While more than 10,000 families have already been given a HUD housing voucher, HUD is ramping up final efforts to contact families who may qualify for rental voucher assistance.

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Hurricane Ike and Your Electric Bill

Estimated Bills
The Public Utility Commission of Texas has oversight of the billing process of many electric companies in the areas hit by Hurricane Ike. Texans who choose their electric provider and have problems with their bill are advised to file a complaint with the PUC. If the amount of the bill is in dispute, the amount in dispute does not have to be paid until the complaint is resolved.

Most electric bills in hurricane-damaged areas are being estimated. The estimate is supposed to include only the power that you used up until the time of the storm. If you believe your bill is incorrect, you can file a complaint by e-mail at customer@puc.state.tx.us. Provide the address, account number, short explanation of the problem, and contact information. You can also call toll free 1-888-782-8477. Expect to leave a message and wait for a return call.

The PUC has no jurisdiction over customers of city-owned utilities and electric cooperatives. Good places to start filing a complaint are the mayor’s office and the president of the board of directors of the electric cooperative.

October 8, 2008 Public Utility Commission of Texas Emergency Order
The PUC Commissioners adopted a second emergency order on October 8. The order suspends rules for residential disconnection of service for nonpayment until October 24. Security deposit cannot be charged until October 24. Disconnection for nonpayment and security deposit requirements may resume on October 25. People in Galveston and the near east and the northeast side of Houston are protected by the order. Other provisions of the order regarding estimated bills, meter testing, and suspension of priority reconnect fees are in effect until November 6.

The Houston zip codes included in the order are: 77012, 77016, 77017, 77022, 77023, 77028, 77029, 77033, 77050, 77051, 77061, 77067, 77078, 77087, 77093, 77336, 77539, 77547, and 77562.

The PUC project number is 36150.

Prepared by: Carol Biedrzycki, Texas Ratepayers’ Organization to Save Energy, 815 Brazos St., Suite 1100, Austin, Texas 78701, Oct. 10, 2008.

Landlords: List Vacant Units on HUD’s National Housing Locator System

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is appealing to landlords in Texas and Louisiana to list their vacant properties on HUD’s National Housing Locator System (NHLS). Working with federal and private housing databases, HUD uses this web-based system to offer thousands of displaced families referrals to longer term housing. More…

Landlords and property owners can obtain advice and assistance on how to add available units to the National Housing Locator by calling (703) 667-9420 x114.

Housing Assistance for Families Displaced by Hurricane Ike

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have implemented a rental assistance program to provide temporary rental payments and case management services to those who were displaced by Hurricane Ike. The new program, slated to begin November 1, 2008, will help these families find intermediate housing as they rebuild their lives.

Families should register by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.fema.gov.