Houston Homeowners Can Get Up to $250,000 to Repair or Rebuild Homes Damaged by Beryl or the Derecho

August 25, 2026 - 04:43

Houston residents whose homes were damaged by May's derecho or Hurricane Beryl can now apply for grants of up to $250,000 to cover repairs or full rebuilds. The funding comes from the DR24 disaster recovery program, which was set up specifically to help homeowners in the affected areas get back on their feet after two major weather events hit the region within months of each other.

The money is not a loan, so homeowners do not have to pay it back. It can be used for structural repairs, electrical work, plumbing, roof replacement, and other essential fixes needed to make a home safe and livable again. In cases where the damage is too severe, the funds can go toward tearing down the existing structure and building a new one on the same property.

To qualify, applicants must own and occupy the home as their primary residence. The property must be located within the designated disaster area, and the damage must be directly linked to either the derecho that swept through in May or Hurricane Beryl, which hit in July. Homeowners will need to provide proof of ownership, documentation of the damage, and evidence that their insurance coverage, if any, was not enough to cover the full cost of repairs.

City officials are encouraging people to apply as soon as possible, since the application window is limited and the demand for assistance is expected to be high. They also warn that scammers may try to take advantage of the situation, so homeowners should only work with verified city programs and avoid paying anyone who promises faster approval for a fee.

For those who have been living in damaged homes or temporary housing since the storms, this program could be the help they have been waiting for. The goal is to get families back into safe, stable homes and to help neighborhoods recover more quickly. More details on eligibility and how to submit an application are available through the city's housing department.