The Crossroads Builders Association understands the devastating effects a natural disaster can have on a community and wants to offer our support as you deal with the aftermath. A set of resources and links are available to help as our area communities recover after a natural disaster and begin to rebuild. These resources include government assistance links and downloadable information. These resources are also available online at www.nahb.org/disasterresources or at Texas Association of Builders. We would also like to remind you that as you hire contractors to do repairs to your home, please read the following PSA so that you may make the most decision possible during an already difficult circumstance.
Federal Resources
The goal of the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program is to improve access to disaster information and make applying for disaster assistance easier. This is not just the beginning of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) grant process, but it is also the gatekeeper for assistance from the federal government. For business owners, that assistance will include SBA disaster loans which will be available. Individuals and businesses must register to secure resources. This is an important step of the recovery process that is not well understood.
FEMA, under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acts as the managing partner. The site allows you to find disaster assistance that meets individual needs, learn more about the 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies, apply and determine status for disaster assistance and reduce applications required, identify a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, locate a hotel or temporary place to live, find food and nutrition programs, apply for change of address, and learn more about SBA loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.
♦ FEMA – Removing Mold From Your Home
♦ FEMA – Find a Place to Stay
♦ Federal Emergency Management Agency | (800) 621-FEMA
♦ IRS Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Harvey
♦ U.S. Department of Labor
State & National Resources
The following information may be helpful to anyone who suffered a loss as a result of natural disasters.
♦ Office of Governor Greg Abbott
♦ National Association of Home Builders Disaster Recovery Resources
♦ National Association of Home Builders Disaster Recovery Websites
♦ Texas Department of Public Safety | (512) 424-2138
♦ Report Price Gouging to Texas Attorney General
♦ Texas Department of Agriculture STAR Fund
♦ Report Price Gouging to Texas Atorney General
♦ Red Cross Donation to Hurricane Harvey
♦ Salvation Army USA | 800-SAL-ARMY
♦ Salvation Army USA Donation to Hurricane Harvey
If your insurance policy information has been lost, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) can help you locate your agent or insurance company. Call TDI’s Consumer Help Line at (800) 252-3439 for assistance. To talk to a professional who can help you cope with emotional distress from the storm, call the Disaster Distress Line at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Other Helpful Information
Rebuilding Following a Disaster (003)
Disaster Remediation - TEXAS LAW
PSA Don't Get Scammed, Rebuild with Confidence
After the Storm
Keeping The Workers SafeExpand
Keeping workers safe (1).pdf
General Mold Clean UpExpand
Molds are microscopic organisms found everywhere in the environment, indoors and outdoors. Most molds are harmless but some can cause infections, allergy symptoms and produce toxins. Inhalation is the exposure of most concern to cleanup workers.
Portable Generator SafetyExpand
Portable generators are internal combustion engines used to generate electricity. They are useful when temporary or remote power is needed, and are commonly used during cleanup and recovery efforts following disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. This fact sheet discusses specific hazards inherent with the use of generators and also provides helpful information to ensure that workers and others using such equipment remain safe.
Here is a couple of tips too keep your eyes peeled "After the Storm" for rodents and wild animals that you wouldn't see on a daily basis!
rodents_snakes_insects.pdf
Rodents, Snakes & InsectsExpand
Here is a couple of tips too keep your eyes peeled "After the Storm" for rodents and wild animals that you wouldn't see on a daily basis!
rodents_snakes_insects.pdf
Tree Trimming & RemovalExpand
tree_trimming_safety.pdf
Cleanup Hazards
Cleanup work of any kind is hazardous, but flood conditions make it even more so. Following the procedures listed below will help to keep you safe and healthy while cleaning up after natural disasters that involve flooding.
Clean up Hazards.pdf
Selecting a Qualified Contractor
Get Multiple Estimates
1. Rule of thumb, get a minimum of 3 estimates
1. How long have you been in the building business?
2. What type of insurance do you carry?
3. What’s the best was to communicate with you?
Question to Ask Yourself:
1. Do I see myself working and communicating with this contractor?
2. What is my gut telling me?
Your local Better Business Bureau will know about
1. Ask about complains filed against the contractor
2. Check BBB rating with standing within the community
1. Get a minimum of 3 references from past customers
2. Call each reference
3. Contact or visit your town code inspector. Some Texas cities require that builders are registered and bonded. Check with your city’s building permits department in this regard. These officials will also know how many projects they’ve inspected. They will also know how many projects they’ve inspected for the contractor and, possibly, the subs they’ve used for projects.
The contract should include these 4 things:
1. A description of how change orders are processed
2. Warranty
3. Payment Schedule
DO NOT pay for the entire job up front or pay in cash. In fact, state law prohibits contractors in disaster areas from taking up front money unless they have held a physical business address in the county or adjacent county for at least one year. This law, found in Chapter 58 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, provides other valuable protections for those rebuilding in disaster areas.
4. Completion date
The contract should include these 6 things:
1. Get References
2. Have a Contract
3. Do Not Pay upfront
Searching for Volunteer Opportunities
Looking to help homeowners devastated by Hurricane Harvey, click Samaritans Purse for volunteer opportunities surrounding the impacted areas. Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes staff and equipment and enlists thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters in the United States. They are looking for an army of volunteers—as many as 1,000 a day.
As the communities start to clean up, homeowners, emergency workers, and volunteers expose themselves to debris and structural damage that can release asbestos fibers. Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of Mesothelioma Cancer.
To help improve education on this, we put together a free guide with specifics on how to clean up safely following a natural disaster. You can read that here:
COVID-19 Resources
Call 2-1-1
For health, food, housing, and other assistance.
Call 7-1-1
For relay service.
1-800-621-0508
To report price gouging, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General
- CISC Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction
- Jobsite safety poster
- Jobsite safety poster (Large - 11x17)
- NAHB Encourages Members to Donate Masks to Fight Coronavirus
- 30 Days to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (CDC/White House document)
- Staying Informed (English) | (Español) (PDF/Info Graph)
- Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools, or Commercial Establishments Safe (PDF/Info Graph)
- Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 (World Health Org)
- All COVID-19 Travel Health Notices (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
- COVID-19 Situation Summary (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
Alert: These programs currently lack funding. See NAHB's letter to Congressional leaders outlining recommended next steps to ensure sufficient resources and funding are available.
- Mortgage and Eviction Relief
- HUD: COVID-19 Information and Resources
- Coalition Letter on Additional COVID-19 Assistance Related to Affordable Rental Housing
- NAHB Requests HUD's Attention Regarding FHA-Insured and HUD-Assisted Multifamily Properties
- NAHB Requests Extension on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) Deadlines
- Protecting Workers During a Pandemic FactSheet. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
- Emergencies/Diseases webpage. World Health Organization (WHO). Provides up-to-date information on existing outbreaks of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
- Health Topics/Coronavirus webpage. World Health Organization (WHO).
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Texas Health and Human Services
- World Health Organization
- COVID-19 Cases in the U.S. | COVID-19 Cases in Texas
- COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus FAQs (English) | COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus FAQs (Español)
- Coronavirus Small Business Guide
