HUD Announces Disaster Assistance for Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Wildfires Survivors

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for areas in the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation affected by wildfires from July 12 to August 8, 2021.

On December 22, President Biden issued (www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/22/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-disaster-declaration-for-the-confederated-tribes-of-the-colville-reservation/) a major disaster declaration for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Federal funding, provided by FEMA, is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Effective immediately, HUD is:

• Providing immediate foreclosure relief in counties covered by the major disaster declaration - HUD's automatic 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages commenced on the date of the Presidential major disaster declaration, and foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA's Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320.
• Making mortgage insurance available - HUD's Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary, and they are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.
• Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation - HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.
• Sharing information on housing providers and HUD programs - The Department will share information with FEMA and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties. This includes Public Housing Agencies and Multi-Family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.
• Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist - HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to assist those who are impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources. Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
• Assisting with housing discrimination - Housing discrimination sometimes occurs when people are attempting to find and access housing following a disaster. HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, you should file a fair housing complaint with HUD. You can file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-977 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD’s website. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department using the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. You should file a complaint with HUD as soon as possible. HUD may be unable to help you if your complaint is filed more than one year after the last discriminatory act. A list of the state and local fair housing agencies funded by HUD is available on HUD’s website here.

Read about these and other HUD programs designed to assist disaster victims on HUD's website.

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