A New Housing Program for Disaster Victims

KILGORE – The East Texas Council of Governments has taken the first step in their planned housing services expansion. Until now, they have focused almost exclusively on minor home repairs for seniors. Now, they are launching a new housing program designed assist qualified individuals impacted by storms and other disasters in East Texas. ETCOG has been approved to administer TDHCA HOME Disaster Relief Program, a long-term housing program designed to serve income eligible households Leading and implementing the program will be ETCOG’s Director of Aging, Bettye Mitchell.

The program was established in East Texas as a direct response to the tornado storms that occurred on April 29, 2017 which caused many residents in Van Zandt, Henderson and Rains Counties to lose their homes. The HOME Disaster Relief program will provide housing solutions for qualified victims affected by the tornadoes in those counties. The will allow ETCOG to initially support the rebuilding or repairing of up to 70 homes in the affected counties over the next five years. Persons looking to seek assistance can contact the ETCOG Housing Program by email at [email protected] or by calling 903-218-6565.