Partial Repair and Essential Power for Sheltering (PREPS)
In 2017 following Hurricane Harvey, the GLO was the first state agency in history to administer a Temporary Housing Mission funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA directly administered the application and eligibility process, while the GLO dispersed resources to those deemed eligible by FEMA.
As a part of this mission, the GLO incorporated a program called Partial Repair and Essential Power for Sheltering (PREPS). PREPS provided basic, emergency home repairs - not including finish work - so Texans could shelter in their home and their communities while completing permanent repairs to their homes.
These partial repairs were available for homes that sustained less than $17,000 in FEMA verified loss. FEMA determined an applicant's eligibility for the PREPS program. PREPS provided up to $20,000 in repairs, including restoring electricity, air conditioning/heating, and hot water, debris removal, limited drywall and insulation, and restoring a functional bathroom and kitchen facilities. These were provided to return the homes to a standard of safe, sanitary and secure. The PREPS program provided partial repairs for 15,666 homes.