HUD News

Washington- HUD aims to assist state and local recovery efforts for areas affected by storms and tornadoes on March 31, 2023, by announcing the implementation of Federal Disaster Relief for Arkansas. President Biden announced a major disaster declaration for the counties of Cross, Lonoke, and Pulaski on April 2, 2023.

HUD’s Secretary, Marcia L. Fudge says, “ HUD is committed to assisting people in Arkansas rebuild after these devastating storms”. She says that the Bidden-Harris administration is helping the state and local partners to get access to the desired resources and restore these communities.

HUD is: Providing a 90 days moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages issued by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American Borrowers under section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. Homeowners affected by disaster can reach out to their mortgage or loan servicer for seeking assistance.

Mortgage insurance- HUD’s section 203 (h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims when homes are destroyed to the extent that they need to be reconstructed. The borrowers are eligible for 100% financing including closing costs.

Insurance for mortgage and home rehabilitation- The individuals can also finance or re-finance the purchase of a house including its repair through a single mortgage with HUD’s Section 203 (K). Besides this, the homeowners are also allowed to finance the rehabilitation of their damaged homes.

Information on Housing providers and HUD programs- FEMA and the state will be communicated about Housing providers having available units in the affected counties.

Flexibility to community planning and development grantees- The recipients who can apply for administrative flexibility due to natural disasters include recipients of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Housing opportunities for people suffering from HIV/AIDS, Continuum of Care program, Emergency Solutions Grants program, HOME program, and Housing Trust Fund. The recipients can also reach out to their Local Community Planning and Development Program office for more information regarding the waiver or suspension of program requirements.

Flexibility to Public Housing Agencies- The disaster relief and recovery waiver is also available to the Public Housing Agencies. The PHA must be located in an active presidentially declared Major disaster declaration area to become eligible for the disaster waiver. The notice released by the Department throws light on HUD’s expedited process for waivers and flexibilities for numerous Public Housing and Voucher Programs.

Flexibility to tribes- The tribes and their tribally designated housing entities can also take advantage of administrative flexibility by applying for regulatory waivers. Tribes can reach out to the Office of Native American Programs for detailed information regarding the waivers.

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies- The areas and people impacted by disasters can seek help from HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. These counseling agencies have counselors in charge to determine the needs of people affected by disasters and the available resources. You can find out about the housing counseling agency online.

Assisting with Housing Discrimination- There are chances of housing discrimination when people attempt to find and access housing following a disaster. The people who have been the victims of housing discrimination can contact HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. You can also file a fair housing complaint with HUD if your rights have been violated. Complaints can also be filed with a local or state housing agency.

The Department established the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in the Office of Deputy Secretary due to the increasing number of disasters.