Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Houston Strong: Harvey-related resources

FOR STUDENTS: Hotline number: 713-718-2300


FOR STAFF/FACULTY: Pay info, volunteer or seek help from HCC at myhcc.hccs.edu


With Houston still recovering from the aftermath of Harvey, Houston Community College (HCC) delayed the start of the Fall semester until Monday, Sept. 11. Stay tuned for updates by visiting www.hccs.edu/harvey

FEMA Update: Application for FEMA Disaster Assistance Extended through November 24

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced an extension of the deadline for affected residents to file for disaster assistance. Anyone who experienced a loss during Harvey is asked to register. Survivors may register for assistance the following ways: • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Via the FEMA mobile app, available at fema.gov/mobile-app
• By Phone at (800) 621-3362 (711 or Video Relay Service) 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, TTY (800) 462-7585.
• Or at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
• Find your nearest DRC at houstonrecovers.org/disaster-recovery-centers

Capitalizing on Recovery Matching financial resources to small business needs

Join the Houston MBDA Business Center and its financial resource partners for an event designed to assist small businesses in getting the lending resources they need. Representatives from traditional and alternative lenders will be available to provide options for potential business borrowers. 8:30 AM noon, Tuesday, Nov. 14, Learning Hub, Building D, 6815 Rustic Street, Houston, TX 77087
Register at https://tinyurl.com/capitalonrecovery

Double your SNAP/D-SNAP Benefits at Some Houston Farmers' Markets

People receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Disaster-SNAP benefits can now buy double the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets organized at five Houston Health Department multi-service centers.mThe Houston Health Foundation is funding the Healthy Houston Bucks incentive program to double SNAP and D-SNAP benefits at the Get Moving Houston Farmers’ Markets in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The funding allows the farmers’ markets to continue through November, extending a regular market season that runs April through September. For more information, and the locations, dates and times of the farmers' markets, visit houstonrecovers.org
"Our first priority must be the safety of our HCC family. I believe delaying the start of the fall semester will ensure that our students, faculty and staff can tend to their families and personal needs, and be focused exclusively on education when they return,” HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado said.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Donate to Red Cross: If you like to donate call: 1- 800-RED CROSS or text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
• Greater Houston Community Foundation Relief Fund: Call: (800) 924-5985 or donate online.
• Donate to HCC Foundation: Go to hccsfoundation.org
• Ways to help Houston recover from Harvey: Interact with City of Houston

• Interested in volunteering?
Groups or Individuals. Register at www.volunteerhouston.org
Corporations wanting to donate supplies (for example, XYZ Corp has truckloads of supplies they want to contribute):
Please send an email to Norma.Meadows@houstontx.gov and Carlecia.Wright@houstontx.gov with the following information:
-          Name of organization
-          Name of person to call regarding the donation
-          Email of Point of Contact
-          Service provided
Medical volunteers. SETRAC website for medical volunteers to register for disaster volunteer ops: https://texasdisastervolunteerregistry.org/

A call for volunteers: canvassing in Northeast 
Houston Council Member Amanda Edwards' office is seeking volunteers for its Hurricane Harvey Recovery Canvassing in Northeast Houston on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. The objective of this effort is to canvass homes that experienced flooding in the Verde Forest area to ensure that no pockets of the Houston community (especially senior citizens) are left behind in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The canvassing will (1) identify residents in need of assistance; (2) provide critical information; and (3) connect residents to supplies, assistance with home clean-up, and other needs. The volunteer group will meet at 9 a.m. at 10306 Valley Wind Drive, Houston, TX 77078 to review instructions. Please park on the street. Canvassing will begin shortly thereafter. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Water will be provided. Volunteers are asked to RSVP no later than Friday, October 13 at 10 a.m. to atlarge4@houstontx.gov or 832-393-3012.

HELP AVAILABLE

• FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: Federal Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 25, 2017. Application periods are open for individual assistance eligible through federal disaster recovery programs. Register either online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (800) 621-3362 / TTY (800) 462-7585 (6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Central Time). Open Registration: Generally 60 days from date of declaration unless extended. A list of information needed to register can be found at fema.gov/apply-assistance

• FEMA Update
At this time, FEMA has set up 4 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Texas - Houston, Columbus, La Grange, Austin and Edna. In Houston, the DRC is at George R Brown Convention Center (1001 Avandia de Las Americus, HOUSTON, TX 77010). It is located inside GRB closest to Rock Street.
It is open from 7 am-7pm daily. Please note that individuals can apply for assistance online at  Apply Online for FEMA Assistance or Apply/Check your status by phone 1-800-621-3362.
Three State of Texas/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in the cities of Katy, Baytown and Houston.
Katy Mills Mall (Fort Bend County)
5000 Katy Mills Circle
Katy TX 77494
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Baytown Community Center (Harris County)
2407 Market Street
Baytown TX 77520
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Greenspoint Mall (Harris County)
263 Greenspoint Mall
Houston TX 77060
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.


Please note that individuals can apply for assistance online at Apply Online for FEMA Assistance or Apply/Check your status by phone 1-800-621-3362.

The assistance application and additional information is available in Spanish at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/es

For information on other DRCs, please visit FEMA’s DRC locator at https://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm

• Federal Disaster Assistance • FEMA Assistance: In Spanish
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
• Disaster Loan Assistance
• National Small Business Association Disaster Relief
• IRS Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Harvey
• Texas Department of Insurance Help After Harvey
• United Way After the Storm Resource Guide (PDF)
• Consumer alert: UH Center for Consumer Law: Harvey People's Law School
• Child care/Camps: Big Kid Small City blog listing

RESOURCES
*Please report ALL home flooding to the City’s 311 hotline. These reports are critical because they determine the recovery resources Houston may receive from FEMA.

• Damage Inspections
The first round of preliminary “through the windshield” inspections for flood-damaged homes is underway via the Department of Neighborhoods. Thus far, the City has completed over 10,000 of these exterior damage assessments, which assist the City of Houston in applying for federal disaster aid.

• Legal Services
Lone Star Legal Aid has set up attorney booths at the George R. Brown Convention Center, NRG Stadium, and other shelters throughout Houston to provide flood survivors with free legal advice.

Click here to load this Caspio Cloud Database

SAFETY AND REPAIR TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Courtesy of the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management
• Avoid scams
Consumers should be on alert for potential scams. For any repair work, it is recommended to get three bids and review each bid carefully.
• Licensed vs. unlicensed contractors
General contractors are not required to be licensed. Check with the Better Business Bureau or other similar sites for reported scams and complaints. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors must be registered with the City of Houston and licensed by the State of Texas. Out of state licenses are not accepted. Visit the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to verify licenses or to view complaints against Master Electricians and HVAC technicians and/or Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to verify licenses or to view complaints against Master Plumbers.
• Repair permits
Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors making repairs must purchase a permit. Visit the Sold Permit Search to check if a permit has been purchased. All electrical work must be completed by a licensed electrician.
Permits are NOT required for:
- Tarping
- Replacing wooden or metal fences (less than 8 feet in height)
- Painting, papering, tiling, wood flooring and carpeting
- Replacing cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
- Repairing damaged sheet-rock or drywall
- Replacing bathroom or kitchen faucets
• Floodplain properties
Property located within the floodplain (i.e. Special Hazard Area,100-year floodplain or flood way) may require a Floodplain Development Permit. Contact the Floodplain Management Office prior to starting any repairs at fmo@houstontx.gov or 832-394-8854.
• Extended hours
Beginning Mon., Sept. 11, 2017  |  Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Main Office*, 1002 Washington Ave., 77002
Beginning Mon., Sep. 25, 2017  |  Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Permanent Satellite Locations*:
Kingwood Office, 3915 Rustic Woods Dr., 77339
Clear Lake Office, 1335 Regents Park #130, 77058
Northwest Office, 10555 Northwest Freeway #148, 77092
*All other services will be available during regular business hours.
Beginning Wed., Sep. 13, 2017  |  Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Temporary Satellite Location**:
Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr., 77074
**For flood repair permits ONLY.
• Questions 
Visit: www.houstonpermittingcenter.org
Email: Houston.permittingcenter@houstontx.gov or call 832-394-9000

WEATHER-RELATED RESOURCES

• Transportation: METRO Q Fare Card available to HCC students. This offer is available to all students (no credit hour minimum required).
• Weather: Check the National Weather Service for updates.
• Road closures: Houston Transtar: High water locations
• Power outage updates: Follow CenterPoint updates
• Shelters: List of Houston-area shelters
• Transportation: Metro updates
• Preparation: ReadyHarris.org
• General emergency info: HoustonEmergency.org
• Flood control updates: Harris County Flood Control
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