Jordan Hansen
Daily Montanan
The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced federal assistance is available to the Crow Tribe following flooding and severe storms in May.
President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration in mid-September. The storms the declaration covered happened May 18-22. At least 50 homes were destroyed in southeastern Montana during the storms and water supply contamination was also an issue.
“One of our core responsibilities at HUD is to help rebuild homes, businesses, and communities after natural disasters,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a press release. “We are supporting the Crow Tribe of Montana by providing financial flexibility and disaster recovery resources to those impacted by the recent disasters.”
In a press release Wednesday, Nov. 26, HUD noted several options for those impacted by the disaster.
Recipients of Indian Housing Block Grants and Indian Community Development Block Grants can apply for necessary waivers and flexibilities for disaster relief.
Additionally, there’s a three-month moratorium on foreclosures.
“A 90-day moratorium is issued on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program,” the press release said.
The move also allows individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, along with its repair, through a single mortgage, the release said, adding homeowners can also finance the rehabilitation of their existing home if it’s been damaged.
There’s also further flexibility for those in various federal housing programs.
“Recipients of Community Development Block Grant program, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program, Continuum of Care program, Emergency Solutions Grants program, HOME Investment Partnerships program, and Housing Trust Fund program funds can apply for administrative flexibility in response to a Major Disaster Declaration,” the release said.