U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner has announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to the Commonwealth of Virginia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas impacted by severe winter storms and flooding from February 10-18, 2025. President Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration on April 4, 2025 for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“HUD is here to support Virginians as they rebuild their homes, communities, and businesses following the severe winter storms and flooding,” said HUD Secretary Turner. “Disaster response is a foundational part of our mission-minded approach to serving American communities as they work to rebuild.”
Effective immediately HUD is:
- Providing financial flexibility: A 90-day moratorium is issued on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). There is also a 90-day extension granted automatically for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs). The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date.
- Making mortgage insurance available: When homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that required reconstruction or complete replacement, HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims. Borrowers from participating FHA- approved lenders are eligible for 100%, financing including closing costs.
- Making financing available for both mortgage and home rehabilitation: HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, along with its repair, through a single mortgage. Homeowners can also finance the rehabilitation of their existing homes if damaged.
- Sharing information on housing providers and HUD programs: Information will be shared with FEMA and the State on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties, including Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and multifamily owners. HUD will also connect FEMA and the state to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.
- Providing flexibility to Community Planning and Development Grantees: Recipients of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS/HIV (HOPWA) Program, Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program funds can apply for needed administrative flexibility in response to Presidentially Declared Major Disaster for Virginia (DR-4863-VA).
- Providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies: Public Housing Agencies can apply for needed waivers and flexibility for disaster relief and recovery. The Department also released PIH Notice 2021-34, which advises the public of HUD’s expedited process for waivers and flexibility from HUD regulatory and administrative requirements for various Public Housing and Voucher Programs. As a reminder, to be eligible to receive a disaster waiver, the PHA must be located in an active Presidentially declared Major Disaster Declaration area and submitted within four months of an MDD.
- Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist: HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to assist those impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources.
- Assisting with housing discrimination: HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination.
More than 450,000 people lost power due to an ice storm, heavy rain, and flooding that severely impacted southwest Virginia in mid-February. Just days later, crews were dispatched to other parts of the state ahead of record-breaking snow.
“I am grateful to President Trump and the entire Administration for approving federal disaster assistance for the Commonwealth of Virginia. These resources aid recovery efforts in the areas of Southwest Virginia affected by Hurricane Helene last fall along with the severe flooding brought on by February’s winter storms,” said Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “Thank you to Secretary Turner and his team for their strong partnership supporting Virginians adversely impacted by these storms.”
Rep. Morgan Griffith added, “Parts of Southwest Virginia faced intense flooding during a wave of February winter storms. The resulting damage to businesses and homes impacted many people in Southwest Virginia who were in the middle of recovering from Hurricane Helene. Secretary Turner’s announcement to extend natural disaster aid and financial flexibility resources to Southwest Virginia will help our communities access vital recovery services.”
