HUD Partnering to Help Georgia Flood Victims

A workshop customer asking for assistance from a HUD customer service provider

As individuals and couples whose homes were devastated from the ravaging and damaging floods last Fall in western Atlanta walked into the Threadmill Complex in Austell, Georgia to attend the Disaster Recovery Mortgage Workshop on January 29, 2010 they came wanting to learn what governmental services may provide them an opportunity to regain a normal life. This was the first time that the Atlanta Regional Office of HUD, FEMA and SBA hosted such an event.

"I think we can all appreciate the feelings and concerns expressed by those attending today as they fight back to regain their homes and return to a normal life", said Emma Newsome, HUD Region IV Disaster Coordinator. "We partnered with local, state and federal and non-profit organizations and HUD approved Housing Counseling Agencies(HCA) to address the concerns and needs of the over 180 people that attended and we hope we were able to help them."

Homeowners impacted by Georgia's recent floods had the opportunity to speak with a HUD-approved Housing Counselor to learn how to obtain possible mortgage relief from their lenders and determine eligibility for various government mortgage assistance programs.

Other Federal agencies in attendance included the IRS, FDIC, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Various non-federal partners were present to disseminate information including the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Cobb County Emergency Management, PEMCO, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies and several long-term recovery group case management agencies.

For more information please visit Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims - Section 203 (H) and Rehab a Home w/HUD's 203(k) on HUD's website.

###