FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS PARTNER TO REBUILD TEXAS
HUD-coordinated team of Federal, State and local disaster experts to provide individualized assistance to communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey

FORT WORTH - A partnership between federal, state and local representatives will convene its work group initiative in League City with Galveston County Officials on February 7, 2018. The day-long event will include comprehensive discussions of the County's disaster recovery priorities with officials from various agencies including HUD, FEMA and the Texas General Land Office to create a long-term strategy to rebuild coastal communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Members of the Recovery Team include Beth Van Duyne, HUD SW Regional Administrator; Kevin Hannes, FEMA FCO; Pete Phillips, Deputy Director for Community Development and Revitalization at the General Land Office; and Stan Gimont, HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grants Programs in the Office of Community Planning and Development. Galveston County Judge Mark Henry will participate, as will city and emergency managers from around the county.

HUD SW Regional Administrator Beth Van Duyne who coordinated the partnership said, "After a disaster, prioritizing next steps, determining relevant state and federal resources and navigating all the related rules and regulations can be daunting for community leaders. The goal of this Recovery Team is to proactively reach out to areas affected by Harvey and offer them an organized and experienced team to cut through the red tape. By listening to their specific challenges, goals and needs, long term recovery plans can be tailored to most effectively rebuild their communities. Working together, we will rebuild Texas."

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said, "We want our community to know we are working every single day on their recovery, and this meeting with our state and federal partners is just one example of that. Our main message to those affected by Harvey is that they're not alone and help is on the way. We look forward to continuing the conversations that will rebuild Galveston County."

The Strike Team will visit other Texas communities and cities affected by Harvey in the future, and HUD hopes to replicate the Strike Team model in future disasters.

###

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Carson on Twitter and Facebook or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.