U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to the State of Alaska to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected October 8-13, 2025 by severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong.
“HUD serves every American and works alongside communities to help rebuild homes, neighborhoods, and businesses after severe storms,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “To support Alaskans during this time of need, HUD is providing financial flexibility and disaster recovery resources to affected communities.”
“I want to thank Secretary Scott Turner and his team for cutting through bureaucratic red tape so these resources can be readily available to Alaskans who need them,” said U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). “During our recent summer trip to Bethel and Napakiak, Secretary Turner saw firsthand the limited housing stock and the region’s efforts to relocate to more stable land. As recovery efforts advance, I will continue working with HUD and all relevant agency partners to ensure that western Alaskan communities’ needs are met in full.”
“As I saw first-hand during my visit last month with senior federal officials, Typhoon Halong devastated whole communities in Western Alaska, damaging and destroying homes in a part of the state that already suffers from some of the scarcest availability of housing,” said U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). “To help supplement the recovery efforts of other federal agencies and the State of Alaska, HUD is stepping forward with a number of tools to help ease some of the strain on those who’ve been displaced by this storm. I want to thank Secretary Turner for working to provide flexibility and relief for these Alaskans as they seek safe shelter and, eventually, to repair or replace their homes and communities when the time is right.”
“Additional disaster relief is critical for families who are still recovering from the devastating storms and flooding this fall. I extend my sincerest gratitude to Secretary Turner and the team at HUD for working quickly to deliver much-needed relief to families across our state and stepping up to provide flexibility and support that meets Alaska’s unique needs. This additional federal support will help communities continue along the long process of recovery.” said U.S. Representative Nick Begich (R-AK).
President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Alaska on October 22, 2025.
Effectively immediately, HUD is:
- Providing flexibility to Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities to assist Alaska Natives’ families – Recipients of Indian Housing Block Grants and Indian Community Development Block Grants have been provided key flexibilities that allow them to quickly help families displaced by a disaster, including:
- Total Development Costs: Costs for a home may exceed the current TDC maximum by 20 percent without HUD review or approval.
- Serving Middle-Income Families: Families impacted by a PDD who exceed the low-income threshold may be eligible for temporary assistance.
- Purchasing Equipment: ICDBG funds may be used to purchase equipment necessary to carry out eligible activities related to disaster-recovery.
- Emergency Payments: ICDBG funds may be used for emergency payments for necessities such as food, medicine, clothing, and temporary rental or mortgage assistance, without the typical three-month limitation.
- Additional flexibilities are available, and recipients can also apply for necessary waivers. For detailed information, click here to see the latest Federal Register Disaster Relief Notice guidance.
- Providing financial flexibility – A 90-day moratorium is issued on foreclosures of mortgages for Alaska Natives’ borrowers insured by the HUD Office of Native American Program’s Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program, and for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages. HUD’s Section 184 Program automatically imposes on servicers a 90-day foreclosure moratorium for any impacted borrowers in an area designated by a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration (PDD). Contact Section184@hud.gov for additional information. There is also a 90-day extension granted automatically for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date. Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately for assistance. Conventional mortgage holders may also be eligible for additional relief through their mortgage holder. Call the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 or email answers@hud.gov for additional information. To learn more about disaster relief options for FHA homeowners, visit the FHA Disaster Relief site.
- Making mortgage insurance available – When homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that they require reconstruction or complete replacement, HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to homeowners and tenants. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent 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 home 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 and multi-family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and the state with 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 (HOPWA) program, Continuum of Care (CoC) program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program, and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program funds can apply for administrative flexibility in response to a Major Disaster Declaration (PDD) for Alaska (DR 4893). For more information on applying for a waiver or suspension of program requirements, contact your local Community Planning and Development (CPD) field office here.
- Providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies – Public Housing Agencies can apply for necessary waivers and flexibilities for disaster relief and recovery. For detailed information on waiver applications, click here to see the latest Federal Register Disaster Relief Notice guidance. As a reminder, to be eligible to receive a disaster waiver, the PHA must be located in an active presidentially declared Major Disaster Declaration (PDD) area and submitted within four months of a PDD.
- 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 and determine assistance needs and available resources. Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency online, or use our telephone look-up tool by calling 1-800-569-4287. The telephone look-up tool includes access to information in more than 200 different languages. You do not need to have an FHA-insured mortgage to meet with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. There is never a fee for foreclosure prevention counseling.
- Assisting with housing discrimination – Housing discrimination can occur when people attempt to find and access housing following a disaster. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, you should file a fair housing complaint with HUD. You can file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visiting the portal to file a complaint on HUD’s website. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact HUD using the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. HUD may not help you if your complaint is filed more than one year after the last discriminatory act.