New money for Hurricane Beryl victims in Houston; How to apply

HOUSTON – In response to the significant number of households affected by Hurricane Beryl, the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance held press conference Monday to announce its activation of the Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund.

This fund aims to raise financial support for those impacted by last week’s storm.

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The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, a joint effort by the Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston, has organized this initiative to provide low-to-moderate income families with emergency financial assistance, home repairs, and help accessing resources.

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The support will extend to residents of the City of Houston and the counties of Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Waller.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joined the disaster alliance at the press conference to show their support for the fund. Additional speakers included Amanda McMillian, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston, and Bob Harvey, co-chair of the Disaster Recovery Council and board member of the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

“It will complement regional and federal government efforts by providing grants to local nonprofits to provide emergency financial assistance, home repair, and resource navigation services. The fund will distribute grants to trusted nonprofit partners who have a deep understanding of the needs of our community, down to the individual neighborhood, and that they will help us be both efficient and effective,” Bob Harvey said.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the money from the fund will be distributed to the most vulnerable, particularly those without insurance.

“One of the things that’s been taking place as we have more and more disasters, as people are being dropped by their insurance, and for some folks that I’ve met, and perhaps you guys have met as well, it couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Hidalgo said.

There are two ways to apply.

• You can go to Connective’s website here.
• You can call United Way’s helpline -- 2-1-1.

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