Article Summary:
- The Texas General Land Office oversees federal funding for disaster recovery through the GLO Rebuilding Program.
- Eligible homeowners can apply for reconstruction assistance or reimbursement for damage caused by natural disasters.
- Construction and mitigation efforts must meet strict criteria and pass inspection by the GLO.
- Working with an experienced engineer is crucial to pass GLO inspections and prevent future storm damage.
What are GLO Rebuilding Programs in Disaster Recovery?
After extreme weather hits Southeast Texas, displaced residents rely on disaster relief programs to provide food and shelter. But do you know about the GLO recovery programs available to help homeowners rebuild destroyed property and protect against future storms? We hope you never face devastating property loss, but if you do, understanding the GLO disaster recovery programs available in Texas (and similar programs in other Gulf states) can help you navigate rebuilding with less stress and confusion.
What Is The Texas GLO?
The General Land Office (GLO) is Texas’s oldest state agency, established in 1836 to manage land records, issue titles, and maintain maps and surveys. Over the last 200 years, the office has expanded to include Veteran support services, management of oil and mineral leases, and, since the early 2000s, allocation of disaster recovery funds after natural disasters.
These funds come from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, also called CDBG-DR. Funding can be used to rebuild communities or to complete mitigation projects to prevent future damage. Since 2011, over $14.3 billion has been given for active and historic disaster recovery.
What GLO Rebuilding Programs Are Available in Texas?
The GLO supports disaster recovery through different programs, including:
1. Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP)
HAP is the primary GLO program and activates after a disaster is declared. Eligible homeowners can apply to repair, reconstruct, or to elevate their property. Under HAP, homeowners apply for rebuilding assistance, not reimbursement.
2. Homeowner Reimbursement Program (HRP)
Conversely, HRP is for homeowners who pay for repairs and reconstruction out of pocket before GLO assistance is available. Historically, expenses have been reimbursed up to $50,000 per household.
3. Homeowner Assistance And Reimbursement Program (HARP)
HARP combines HAP and HRP, allowing homeowners to apply for repair assistance and reimbursement with one application.
Depending on the grant, other programs may be available, such as the Affordable Rental Program that allocates funds to build multifamily housing for 2018/2019 disasters. The available funds, and how they can be applied, can vary for different disaster responses.
How Do You Qualify For Disaster Recovery Through GLO?
Funds aren’t available to just anyone who owns property in Texas. Assistance is only available for homes that are the applicant’s primary residence, and they must be located in a designated eligible area for that specific disaster.
The quality of construction work is also closely scrutinized. All work must meet International Residential Code standards, and both the GLO and the Texas Real Estate Commission will perform a final inspection before a homeowner can move back in.
How Do You Apply For Disaster Recovery Through GLO?
To apply for recovery funds and assistance, visit the GLO website for a list of active grants. As of August 2026, there are active grants available for disasters as far back as Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Their website provides detailed information on which counties are eligible, what programs are available, and what plans and surveys have been completed as part of their mitigation efforts.
What Disaster Recovery Programs Are Available In Other Gulf States?
Every state on the Gulf Coast has access to CDBG-DR funding and offices that manage those resources.
- Louisiana: The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program, run by the Louisiana Office of Community Development.
- Mississippi: CDBG-DR funds have historically been administered by the Mississippi Development Authority.
- Alabama: The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs oversees disaster recovery allocation.
- Florida: The Florida Department of Commerce administers funds through the Rebuild Florida program.
SETEI: Engineers Experienced With Disaster Recovery
After a natural disaster strikes, the goal is to get residents back into safe homes quickly. The GLO Rebuilding program provides tremendous financial support and construction assistance, which is made possible in part by engineers and inspectors who know coastal building codes well.
At Southeast Texas Engineering and Inspections (SETEI), we’re no stranger to disaster recovery. We’ve provided architectural and engineering recovery services to over 500 Gulf Coast homes since 2017, with a focus on thorough inspections and timely turnaround. We also offer foundation elevation, flood risk mitigation, and FORTIFIED home inspections to help protect your property in future storms.
If you’re still rebuilding after a devastating storm, or just looking to prepare for the next, SETEI offers a full suite of engineering services designed to withstand extreme Gulf Coast weather. Contact us today.