BUYOUT PROGRAM HEADLINES & HIGHLIGHTS

JANUARY 2021, VOLUME 4
 
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Breaking News…
 
 
Deadline Extended
 
Thanks to a deadline extension by HUD/GLO for the Post Disaster Relocation and Buyout Program, Harris County Project Recovery has more time to get offers to property owners in the mandatory buyout areas. All appraisals have been ordered and are currently taking place. Most offers to property owners are now expected to be made starting in March and continuing through the summer.
 
New Funds Available
 
$2.3 million is now available to help cover relocation funding gaps for program participants with unique needs such as legal status. Eligibility Specialists and Relocation Specialists can connect individuals and families who have unmet relocation needs to this special pot of funds. This allocation is compiled from $1.5 million by Harris County Commissioners Court and $800,000 by United Way.
 
New Executive Director Takes
Reigns of Project Recovery
 
 
To make the transition as easy as possible for program participants, Dr. Holloway is committed to ensuring that the PDRB program provides every resource allowable by state and federal regulations.
 
Adrienne Holloway, PhD, has been named Executive Director of Harris County’s Community Services Department. Among her responsibilities is overseeing Project Recovery, which includes the Post Disaster Relocation and Buyout Program.
 
Dr. Holloway has over 15 years of experience in housing and community development, most recently as head of the City of Aurora, Illinois’ Community Services and Information Technology Division. She also served 10 years in academia, including time as an assistant professor at DePaul University Graduate School of Public Service.
 
“I’m very interested in the Post Disaster Relocation and Buyout Program,” said Dr. Holloway. “This program is helping to alleviate the constant fear of flooding faced by many Harris County residents. Thanks to the Texas General Land Office and HUD, we have the resources to move people out of harm’s way and resettle them in safer areas where a rain storm will no longer trigger stress and anxiety about whether their homes and lives will again be turned upside down.”
 
To make the transition as easy as possible for program participants, Dr. Holloway is committed to ensuring that the program provides every resource allowable by state and federal regulations. In addition to purchasing property in repetitively flooded areas, for example, the PDRB program also provides relocation assistance to help residents and businesses in the buyout areas find, purchase and move into new locations in reduced flood areas.
 
“The program’s Eligibility Specialists and Relocation Specialists are trained professionals who can walk participants through every step of the process, taking each household’s unique needs into consideration and finding the solution to best address those needs,” said Dr. Holloway.
 
She urges program participants to contact their Eligibility Specialists and work with them to ensure their relocation needs are met with minimal frustration and a high-level of satisfaction and empowerment. To reach an Eligibility Specialists, call or email 832-927-4961, [email protected]
 
Project Recovery inspectors are contacting property owners to schedule inspections. If you have concerns about the safety of this activity during the pandemic, the following information should address your concerns.