Skip to main content
Image
Representative Jackson Lee

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on FEMA’s Announcement of Reduced rent for Eligible Households in Temporary Housing Units

February 14, 2019

Image
PRESS PICTURE

For Immediate Release Contact: Robin Chand

February 13, 2019 (202) 225–3816

Press Statement

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on FEMA's Announcement of Reduced rent for Eligible Households in Temporary Housing Units

Jackson Lee—"This is a welcome development for the countless Houstonians and Texans still impacted by Harvey and still rebuilding their lives.For more information on applying for reduced rent, be connected with a FEMA caseworker, and submit documentation to femadr4332txrent@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA also has a Helpline available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day: 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-642-7585. During the extension period, rental payments are required to be made and residents must also continue to make progress on their permanent housing plan. Failure to do so can result in being ineligible for the temporary housing program. Hurricane Harvey survivors can find an extensive list of resources at https://go.usa.gov/xENrp."

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, released this statement following the announcement of the resignation of Brock Long as Director of FEMA:


"It is important that all Hurricane Harvey survivors who are currently living in temporary housing units provided by FEMA and the Texas General Land Office be eligible for reduced rent. Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston, and dumped close to 60 inches of rain, claimed 68 lives, and caused upwards of $125 billion of damage. Indeed, Texans are still reeling from this calamity, as evidenced by the countless individuals and families still displaced from the storm, almost a year-and-a-half after the disaster made landfall.

"According to FEMA, current residents must relocate by February 25, 2019. Families who wish to remain in their units past February 25 and cannot afford Fair Market Rent may be able to have their rent reduced as low as $50 per month. A family's eligibility for reduced rent will be determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. Currently HUD defines low-income families as those with incomes that do not exceed 80% of the median family income for the area. The current median family income for Harris County is $74,900 a year. For a family of four, to meet the income requirement, their annual income cannot exceed $59,900. The reduced rent amount is based on the resident's financial ability to pay, household size, housing expenses, and adjusted income for all adult occupants.

"This is a welcome development for the countless Houstonians and Texans still impacted by Harvey and still rebuilding their lives. For more information on applying for reduced rent, be connected with a FEMA caseworker, and submit documentation to femadr4332txrent@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA also has a Helpline available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day: 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-642-7585. During the extension period, rental payments are required to be made and residents must also continue to make progress on their permanent housing plan. Failure to do so can result in being ineligible for the temporary housing program. Hurricane Harvey survivors can find an extensive list of resources at https://go.usa.gov/xENrp."

Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas's 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget.