The city announced it was no longer accepting applications due to a long waiting list and lack of funding.
BEAUMONT, Texas – A federal government shutdown is straining Beaumont's small home repair program, halting new applications and delaying financing for dozens of local homeowners.
The city announced it was no longer accepting applications due to a long waiting list and lack of funding. The program, which helps low-income and elderly residents with minor home repairs such as roofing, flooring and mobility modifications, is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Community Services Manager Jes Prince said the city is waiting for HUD grant agreements for the 2025 program year before work can begin for 32 homeowners currently approved for assistance.
“Our 2025 HUD funding was already allocated by Congress last year,” Prince said. “Our HUD program is a year behind schedule, and while the closure impacts all of our programs, these are funds that have already been allocated – we are just waiting on the grant agreements.”
Prince said the program's waiting list now exceeds two years of funding, with more than 140 households waiting for assistance.
“Currently, our waiting list for this program includes more than two years of funding,” she said. “We are unable to open the application at this time, but this year we will help 32 homeowners – more than double the number in 2023.”
The program is seeing growing demand as older residents want to stay in their homes while making necessary repairs. Prince said the city hopes to reopen applications by 2026.
“I definitely have great compassion for all of the residents on our waiting lists,” she said. “They’ve been waiting for over a year and people call every day.”