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 Fern 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 Louisiana on February 18, 2026 stating that Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas and West Carroll Parishes shall receive repair, debris removal or replacement due to the damage by the storm.
Housing and Urban Development is providing financial flexibility providing relief with mortgages. 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.
HUD is 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.
Assisting with housing discrimination, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination.
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.
For more information visit hud.gov.
