North of downtown Houston, Luisa Chavez proudly shows off one of the four new houses on the block. She works for Avenue, a nonprofit developer, and is excited about these energy-efficient homes that are built to withstand hurricanes. These houses stand out in a neighborhood that is rapidly gentrifying, offering affordable rents to residents like 61-year-old John Cortez, who is in search of a new home within his $700 per month budget.
These homes were made possible by federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. While FEMA provided initial assistance after the storm, HUD allocated significant funds for rebuilding efforts in Houston. Derek Sellers, the deputy director of housing and community development for the city, emphasized the importance of this funding, which far exceeded the typical HUD allocation for Houston.
In addition to these new homes, Houston is utilizing disaster relief funds to construct thousands of multifamily units with rent limits to ensure affordability. This approach has been replicated on a national scale, with over $50 billion spent on HUD disaster recovery in the past decade. Sarah Labowitz, a researcher, highlighted the impact of this funding on rebuilding resilient homes and creating affordable rental options in affected areas.
However, despite the positive outcomes of HUD funding, there are significant delays in the allocation and distribution of these funds. Labowitz’s research revealed that it takes an average of three years from the time of a disaster for HUD funds to become available for use. This lag in funding poses challenges for communities in urgent need of assistance, especially in the aftermath of recent disasters like the Maui wildfires.
The bureaucratic hurdles and lack of permanent authorization for HUD disaster recovery funding further exacerbate these delays. While FEMA funds are readily available for disaster relief, HUD money requires special appropriations from Congress, leading to extended waiting periods for communities like Houston. Mike Sprayberry, a disaster recovery consultant, advocated for permanent authorization of this funding to streamline the process and ensure timely assistance for those in need.
Chrishelle Palay, who works with Organizing Resilience in Houston, echoed the need for permanent authorization of HUD funding. She shared a heartbreaking story of a family that was unable to rebuild their home after Harvey due to delays in funding and bureaucratic obstacles. Palay emphasized the importance of a more efficient and responsive system to support disaster-affected communities and prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
In conclusion, while HUD funding has played a crucial role in rebuilding communities post-disaster, the delays and lack of permanent authorization hinder the effectiveness of these programs. Permanent authorization of HUD disaster recovery funding is essential to ensure timely assistance and support for vulnerable communities in their recovery efforts.
