Emergency Housing
Disaster relief services for potential residents:
FIRST STEPS:
Q: How do I know if I am eligible for longer term housing assistance?
A: You are eligible if you:
- evacuated the Gulf Coast region during the period before and after Hurricane Katrina,
- are currently living in a hotel paid for by FEMA,
- are living in an apartment paid for by Project Exodus.
Q: What is the first thing that I need to do to get continued housing assistance?
A: You need to contact FEMA.
Q: How and where do I apply for continued housing assistance?
A: You need to go to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 8787 N. Stemmons Freeway at Regal Row in Dallas. The phone number is 1-800-621-3362.
Q: What is the first thing that I need to do to get continued housing assistance?
A: You need to contact FEMA.
Q: What information/documentation do I need to bring when I apply?
A: You need your FEMA registration number, social security card or some form of identification.
Q: Do I have to apply in person?
A: Yes.
Q: What are the hours of operation?
A: Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Q: Can I apply on-line?
A: Not at this time. But you can print out a copy of the application here.
APARTMENT SIZE, DEPOSITS, FURNITURE
Q: I have been in a hotel and have no furniture. Who can help me with furniture?
A: This program will help you obtain furniture and household amenities. The apartment owner will provide a refrigerator and stove. The furniture and household amenities are the property of DHA.
Q: Will I have to pay for utilities?
A: This program will pay for your utilities at a set rate based on the size of your apartment. The rates are set by TXU, the local utility provider. Below are utility rates based on bedroom size:
Utility payments |
Dallas and Fort Worth |
1 |
127 |
Q: Will I have to pay a deposit?
A: This program will pay your deposit.
Q: Will I have to pay for application fees?
A: You will be responsible for paying application fees.
Q: Are there restrictions about what size apartment I can get if I am moving from a hotel to an apartment?
A: Yes, but the restrictions are reasonable. Two people should share one bedroom; persons of the same gender and approximately the same age should share a bedroom; a single parent should share a
bedroom with a child under the age of 6.
Q: What if I want a larger apartment?
A: You may pay the difference yourself.
Q: How much are the rental rates for the apartments?
A: DHA will pay rent on behalf of the evacuees based on the market rate for the unit, up to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) established by HUD. DHA will determine whether the rent for the unit is
reasonable by comparing the requested amount to rents charged for other comparable units in the market area. When making this determination, DHA may evaluate the location, quality, size, unit type and age
of the unit. Evacuees may elect to pay rental amounts over DHA’s established rate. The Fair Market Rents for Dallas and Fort Worth are as follows:
Fair Market Rent (FMR)* Payment Standard
Number of Rooms |
Dallas |
Fort Worth |
1 |
640 |
589 |
*The FMR is based on bedroom size.
Q: How long will my rent be paid?
A: DHA will provide assistance until March 1, 2005.
LOCATION OF APARTMENTS
Q: Is the complete roster of available/participating apartments available to evacuees?
A: Yes.
Q: Are the apartments all over Dallas or in just particular neighborhoods? Are most of the apartments in high crime/drug infested areas?
A: Apartments are located throughout the Dallas Metropolitan area and are not isolated to particular areas.
Q: Can I choose which neighborhood or complex where I would like to live?
A: Yes, if the landlord accepts the voucher and there are vacancies.
Q: Will there be enough apartments for all those now housed in hotels?
A: DHA is working with the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas to locate available units.
TRANSPORTATION, CRIMINAL RECORD, INELIGIBILITY
Q: How will I get to the apartments or to the assistance office?
A: DHA will provide housing and housing assistance. Public transportation is available for those without access to personal transportation. To obtain bus route info, call 214-979-1111 or visit
http://www.dart.org/. DHA encourages churches and social service agencies to pitch in to assist with the efforts.
Q: Are hurricane survivors getting ahead of those who have been on the public housing waiting list for years?
A: The Interim Housing Program is an effort between DHA and the state of Texas. The funding comes from FEMA to the state and the state passes it to DHA. DHA provides the funding directly to the
landlords on a monthly basis. The Interim Housing Program is different from DHA’s role in providing public housing and housing choice vouchers.
Q: Can I be turned down by the landlord?
A: The program is voluntary for landlords. If you are turned down at one property, we encourage you to continue looking into other properties.
Q: What if I have a criminal record?
A: DHA’s role is to act as liaison between the client and the landlord. The landlord must determine suitability.
Q: Am I eligible if I am getting rental assistance from my homeowner’s insurance policy?
A: No.
Q: Am I eligible if I am receiving assistance from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program?
A: No.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Q: What if I have questions that are not answered here?
A: We encourage you to contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.FEMA.org.
You may also call DHA at 214-951-1994, Michelle Raglon at 214-951-8443
You can also print out a copy of the application here
