SARASOTA, Fla. — As Tampa Bay-area homeowners continue to deal with the devastating effects of Hurricane Debby, a federal agency is offering disaster aid to supplement state and local efforts.
Earlier this week, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for several Florida counties, including Sarasota and Manatee. This declaration means those in need can get grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
To access these resources, visit the FHA disaster relief website or call the FHA resource center at 1-800-304-9320 and find out what you're eligible for.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has also put several other programs in place to help people recover, including:
- A 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the FHA
- A 90-day extension for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
- FHA insurance for those whose homes were destroyed to the point of reconstruction or replacement
- Options to finance or refinance a home and its repairs through a single mortgage
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HUD will also be working with FEMA and Florida officials to share information about available housing units in impacted counties.
If anyone experiences housing discrimination while attempting to find a place to live after the storm, they are encouraged to file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or online.