Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery - City of Houston Housing Guidelines

The guidelines were developed to support housing recovery following Hurricane Harvey and related flooding in Texas. They outline procedures for assessing property damage, determining eligibility, and implementing rehabilitation, reconstruction, or new construction activities. The document defines key regulatory requirements, including duplication of benefits, environmental review, elevation standards, and compliance with federal laws.

The program operates under federal disaster recovery frameworks and integrates requirements from FEMA, HUD, and other federal regulations such as the Stafford Act and the Flood Disaster Protection Act. It specifies that damage assessments must include cost estimates, mold remediation needs, and compliance with local building codes. Labor standards (e.g., Davis-Bacon Act) and flood insurance requirements are also addressed to ensure lawful and resilient rebuilding.

Overall, the document serves as an operational and policy guide for administering disaster housing recovery funds. It aims to ensure transparent, compliant, and resilient rebuilding efforts while preventing duplication of financial assistance and promoting safer construction in flood-prone areas of Houston.