Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) announced three major victories for Texas hurricane recovery included in the Iraq War funding bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today. President Bush has indicated he will sign the bill when it reaches his desk.
“We continue to push for assistance from Washington in helping our Rita communities recover,” said Brady, who leads the House effort for Texas disaster funding. “I’m pleased because these measures mean more money in the pockets of local governments and more time to make sure the social services funds are used wisely and help the most people.”
Texas communities will now be reimbursed 100% by FEMA for eligible public assistance expenditures for Hurricane Rita. The provisions apply to public assistance worksheets that the communities have already submitted. According to the House Appropriations Committee, it is an estimated savings of $50 million to Texas local governments.
At the request of east and southeast Texas community leaders, Congress approved a two year extension for the expenditure of Social Services Block Grants through 2009. Texas received $88 million in SSBG funding – the extension will allow Texas communities still in great need to complete the necessary construction, case management and other approved projects without jeopardy of losing the funding.
Additionally, there will be an extension for housing projects funded by low-income housing tax credit projects awarded through 2008 in the Rita Go-Zone. This extension will allow the most difficult projects the extra time necessary for completion without jeopardizing the credit.
