A man looks at a fallen tree knocked over by wind and rain from Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Texas, on July 8. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $3.6 million in funding for “displaced survivors” from the storm. File Photo by Carlos Ramirez/EPA-EFE
Aug. 28 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday it will release $3.6 million to “displaced survivors,” in Texas and Oklahoma, whose homes were damaged this summer by Hurricane Beryl.
The funding will come from HUD’s Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing, or RUSH, program and will provide quick money for anyone experiencing homelessness due to damage in declared disaster areas.
“Addressing the housing needs of impacted communities is one of our priorities,” said HUD acting secretary Adrianne Rodman. “RUSH funding provides lifesaving assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors who struggle to find safe, stable housing after a disaster strikes.”
The funding will supplement the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross’ efforts as “displaced survivors” from damaged buildings have “exceeded local capacity.” The money will be used for emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, move-in costs and supportive services.
The state of Texas will receive more than $1.8 million with Houston getting $1 million, Fort Bend Country receiving $104,420 and $383,630 going to Harris County. The state of Oklahoma, which was not hit as hard, will receive about $205,000.
“We have heard loud and clear — every day counts when communities are working to get people safely housed in the wake of disasters,” said Marion McFadden, principal deputy assistant secretary for community planning and development.
At least 10 people were killed last month after Hurricane Beryl slammed southeast Texas with heavy winds, rain and flash flooding, as power outages impacted millions. Hundreds of thousands remained without power in the Houston area one week later.
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott blasted Houston’s main power company CenterPoint for failing to restore electricity faster, saying “CenterPoint has completely dropped the ball.” The Public Utility Commission, a state regulator, has launched an investigation into the utility’s slow response.
Beryl was the first storm to make U.S. landfall during the 2024 hurricane season, which began on June 1. It was also the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic on record.