HUD Disaster Aid and Financial Flexibility for Louisiana

HUD Press Releases

Published February 18th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced disaster aid and financial flexibility for Louisiana residents impacted by severe winter storms in January 2026. This includes a 90-day moratorium on FHA mortgage foreclosures and extensions for certain mortgage programs, effective February 18, 2026.

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What changed

HUD has announced immediate measures to provide disaster assistance and financial flexibility to Louisiana residents affected by severe winter storms from January 23-27, 2026, following a major disaster declaration by President Trump on February 18, 2026. Key actions include a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures for FHA-insured mortgages and Native American borrowers under the Section 184 program, along with a 90-day extension for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, effective from the disaster declaration date. HUD is also making mortgage insurance available for reconstruction and rehabilitation through its Section 203(h) and Section 203(k) programs, and offering administrative flexibility to Community Planning and Development grantees.

Affected homeowners should contact their mortgage servicers immediately for assistance. Compliance officers should note the effective date of the moratorium and extensions is February 18, 2026, and ensure communication with relevant parties. While no direct penalties are stated for non-compliance with these aid measures, failure to adhere to foreclosure moratoriums or program requirements could lead to regulatory scrutiny. The notice also highlights the availability of specific HUD programs for those whose homes were destroyed or damaged, requiring coordination with FHA-approved lenders and potentially CPD field offices for program flexibility waivers.

What to do next

Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately for assistance.
Review FHA and ONAP Section 184 program requirements for foreclosure moratoriums and extensions.
Coordinate with HUD and FEMA regarding available housing units and HUD programs for disaster-affected residents.

Source document (simplified)

1. News
2. HUD Delivers Disaster Aid, Financial Flexibility for Louisiana Residents Impacted by Natural Disasters

HUD Delivers Disaster Aid, Financial Flexibility for Louisiana Residents Impacted by Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to state of Louisiana to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storm on January 23-27, 2026.

“One of our core responsibilities at HUD is to help rebuild homes, businesses, and communities after natural disasters,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “We are supporting residents of Louisiana by providing financial flexibility and disaster recovery resources to those impacted by the recent disaster.”

President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana on February 18, 2026.

Effectively immediately, HUD is:

Providing financial flexibility - A 90-day moratorium is issued on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Native American borrowers insured by the HUD Office of Native American Program’s (ONAP) Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. 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. For the Section 184 program, contact Section184@hud.gov for additional information.
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 (MDD) for Louisiana (DR 4900). 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 Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities - Recipients of Indian Housing Block Grants and Indian Community Development Block Grants can apply for regulatory waiver relief. For more information, contact your Area Office of Native American Programs.
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. 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 (FHEO) 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.