Hurricane Season
As hurricane season is upon us, SHHET wants to make sure that everyone is ready for evacuations if they occur. Below is a detailed Hurricane Emergency Supply List. Each family will need to alter this list to better suit your needs. Please do not just rely on this list as it is an example of some things that we know you would need to make your lives as easy as they can be in the event of a hurricane coming close to you.
As always, please adhere to all mandatory evacuations coming from officials to make your families and pets safe.
Hurricane Emergency Supply List
- Battery Powered Digital Television ( Optional )
- Filled Gas tank and gas cans for generators and auto
- Bottled Water & Ice Chests
- Sterno- Charcoal & Lighter
- Hammer, nails, screws. Screw drivers, flashing, and
plastic, for quick home repairs.
- Inventory of personal property
- Flood and home insurance policies
- FEMA Documentation from past years for reference
- CASH if there is no electricity then the banks
and ATM'S will not be accessible
- Change of clothing to last at least 1 week for each
person in the home
- Pet food and medication if needed
- Kids games to occupy their time
- Paper Plates, bowls, cutlery, cups
- Old Percolator Coffee Pot
- Extra Charged car battery with gator clipped wires for
fan
- WET Ones( Antibacterial for sanitizing hands)
- Hand ax (to be used in the case of falling debris)
- Proof of residence (a deed, lease, or utility bill)
- Special needs items (i.e., hearing aid batteries,
crutches, eyeglasses, contact lenses, wheelchairs,
walkers, and batteries for electronic equipment)
- Extension cords properly gauged to be used with
outside equipment
- Cell phones & Charger with power converter
Protect valuable documents and property, including
- Bank account and credit card numbers
- Photos/video of your home and valuable property
- Insurance policies, including personal, homeowners
and disaster insurance
- Irreplaceable photos, or personal belongings of
sentimental value
- Computer back up of important electronic data
- If you evacuated, and your house has been vacant for a period of time, enter with caution.
- Stay tuned to local radio and/or television for information. Emergency officials will announce when you may return to your home, or when it is safe to venture outside
- Help injured or trapped persons if you can do so without injury to yourself. Give first aid where appropriate.
- Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help if possible, otherwise wait and help will come to you.
- Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately if possible to the power company, police, or fire department.
- Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
- Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
- Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
- Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
- Use telephone only for emergency calls.
- Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims.
Please be Safe, and remember, if there is anything you might need in repairs from hurricane damage, call our office immediately so that all applications can be filled out ahead of funding disbursal.
1-409-379-4663
Go online to Hurricane tracking chart and download a free chart so that you can keep up with the corrdinates and be better aware of the dangers.
Building
Self Help Housing has several programs that help Low Income, disabled and elderly individuals and families acquire safe affordable homes.
We have broadened our programs to include the following:
- Home Ownership Education: Classes are held in our SHHET Office located at 107 East Court Street in Newton, TX 75966. We have a certified HOE Trainer. Please call ahead to make appointments for this program.
- We have set up a job search program, with internet available to anyone that would like to utilize it to help them acquire better career opportunities.
- We have programs to assist with acquiring safe affordable homes, repairs, and also a great program that will allow you to acquire a low interest, subsidized loan to build a home.
Self Help Housing utilizes USDA 502 loans which are designated forLow-Income individuals and families.
These loans are low interest and can be subsidized.
The interest rate on the loans would be around 3-5% of the amount on the total loan.
USDA RD works with each applicant to help them get a subsidy if they need one.
- Steps to Becoming a HomeOwner:
1. Come in to or call our office to set up an appointment.
2. Complete the application process, and bring in all verification information that you are asked for.
3. Make sure all of your documents are signed and ready to go.
4. Have the Office manager run a tri-merge credit report for you.
5. Work with the SHHET Staff to go over your report to make sure there is nothing that will hold you back on getting an approval.
6. Stick with the process.
7. Get the loan
8. Have the home built for you right before your eyes.
9. Move in to your brand new home knowing that if you stick with your budget and stay on track, you will have a home you can afford, and you can also have peace of mind to know that your home was built energy efficient.
10. Live a happy life, and help teach our younger generation that it is not that hard to become a home owner!
- Self Help Housing has acquired 10.5 Acres of land in Newton County, that is less than 1 mile from the Newton Elementary School, Several Churches and a few shopping marts. There are adequate utility connections already in place for the existing 16 lots that will make up Magnolia Place .
- We are constantly working toward different grant opportunities for South East Texas low income residents that will help with Down Payment assistance and home repair.
Self Help Housing Mission:
Mission Statement: Increase the availability of affordable housing and to help create vibrant, caring and economically healthy communities in which people can reach their full potential.
Self Help Housing of East Texas
Legal or Public Notice
Self Help Housing of East Texas, a non-profit organization, has applied to USDA Rural Development for a housing preservation grant to help rehabilitate and repair owner occupied dwellings for very low and low income residents in Newton, Jasper, Sabine, Tyler, Orange counties.
This grant will help the elderly, disabled and low income residents. For Information on this “Statement of activities” document please call Self Help Housing of East Texas at 1-409-379-4663 to schedule an appointment for review. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8 to 5 closed 12 – 1 lunch.
