City of Houston Opens Pilot Neighborhood Restoration Center in Northeast Houston for Harvey Flood Survivors

The City of Houston, along with local non-profit organization partners, opened the first Neighborhood Restoration Center at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 as part of a pilot program aimed at connecting Houstonians affected by Harvey with recovery services.

As part of this ongoing effort, a Neighborhood Restoration Center will be open at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center,  located at 4802 Lockwood Dr., Houston, TX 77028 every Wednesday during the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. to provide information, and connect survivors with resources, such as: legal aid, mental health and wellness, home repair and rebuilding information, employment help, and housing counselors. Case management services at the Center are being provided by BakerRipley and the Houston Area Urban League. 

Disaster-focused non-profit organizations, churches, businesses, governmental agencies, and volunteer groups are urged to join this collaborative effort. The City expects the number of participants and partners to expand each week as word of this initiative grows, with additional locations expected to roll out in the near future.

City Departments participating in the program include:

• Department of Neighborhoods, New Americans & Immigrant Communities

• Department of Neighborhoods, Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office

• Houston Public Works – Houston Permitting Center

• Office of Business Opportunity

• Housing & Community Development Department

• Houston Health Department

• Houston Health Department – Area Agency on Aging

• Office of Emergency Management

• Solid Waste Management Department

Additionally, some area non-profit agencies are providing case management, and access to recovery services, including:

• All Hands Volunteers, Inc.

• Care Connection – Aging and Disability Resource Center

• Northeast Next Door Redevelopment Council

For locations, and hours of operation, visit houstonrecovers.org

Houston residents in need of assistance related to Harvey recovery, who cannot come to the center are asked to call Texas 2-1-1 (877-541-7905), so a trained case manager can be made aware of their individual needs, and connect them with recovery services.

Additional information on Houston’s disaster recovery can be found at houstonrecovers.org.

Information provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Hotel Stays for Harvey Survivors Extended to Jan. 16, 2018

Eligible Hurricane Harvey survivors receiving Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) may receive an extension to stay temporarily in hotels while they look for an alternative place to live.

Disaster survivors with a continuing need for the hotel sheltering program may be extended to
Jan. 16, 2018. However, there is a mid-term eligibility review on Dec. 12 where survivors participating in TSA will receive a phone call, email, and/or text message advising them if they have continued eligibility for assistance through a participating hotel.

Hurricane Harvey survivors who recently applied for assistance will be notified automatically of their eligibility. To be considered for eligibility, disaster survivors must be registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, and meet other eligibility criteria.

FEMA Individual Assistance deadline extended to November 30th

Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey now have until November 30, 2017, to register for federal assistance.

The deadline was November 24, however, an additional six days now gives survivors more time through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Federal assistance includes help for temporary housing, rental assistance and repair or replacement of damaged homes for eligible individuals and families who have suffered losses as a result of the storm.
Additionally, grants may be available to help with other expenses such as medical and dental care, child care, funeral and burial costs, replacing essential household items, moving and storage, vehicle repairs and some clean-up items.