WASHINGTON, DC—AARP Foundation announced today the grant recipients of its Hurricane Harvey fundraising efforts. With matching funds from AARP and AARP Foundation, the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund raised $3.25 million to help hurricane victims – especially those age 50 and older – in Houston and Southeast Texas.

“I am deeply moved by the extraordinary generosity of all those who donated to help people 50 and older affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, president of AARP Foundation. “These funds will help local organizations address the immediate needs of low-income seniors, as well as supporting long-term recovery efforts in the area. We especially appreciate the role AARP Texas played in helping us identify organizations providing on-the-ground support.”

The grant recipients of the AARP Foundation Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund are:

• Texas Association of Community Action Agencies: $1,325,000
• Rebuilding Together Houston: $1,150,000
• YWCA Houston: $35,000
• BakerRipley: $35,000
• Interfaith Ministries/Meals on Wheels: $35,000
• Houston Food Bank: $35,000
• Bread of Life: $35,000
• Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center: $35,000
• The Montrose Center: $35,000
• St. Bernard Project USA: $35,000
• Chinese Community Center: $30,000
• HOPE Clinic: $30,000
• OCA – Greater Houston: $30,000
• Boat People SOS – Houston: $30,000
• Greater Houston Community Foundation: $100,000
• Texas Access to Justice Legal Relief Fund: $50,000
• Lone Star Legal Aid: $50,000
• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: $50,000
• Legal Aid of Northwest Texas: $50,000
• Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission (Experience Corps affiliate): $50,000
• PeopleFund (Work for Yourself 50+ grantee): $5,000

Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA) will distribute its entire grant through 11 member agencies to provide direct relief assistance to older adult households. Rebuilding Together Houston not only will focus on making the older adults’ homes habitable, but will also provide the necessary aging-in-place features to keep these older adults safe and secure in their homes for many years to come.

“The Texas Community Action network is very grateful for AARP Foundation’s grant to assist older adult households affected by Hurricane Harvey in 39 disaster declared counties,” said Stella Rodriguez, Executive Director, TACAA. “The focus is to help Texans with critical needs and the return to safe housing. The types of assistance to be provided include rent, home repairs, appliance repair/replacement, food (meals and grocery gift cards), medications and medical equipment, transportation (car repair, tires, batteries and gas), personal or household supplies, and other needs as identified.”

“This generous gift from AARP Foundation allows Rebuilding Together Houston to go forward with confidence in our disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey,” said Christine Holland, CEO and Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Houston. “We are using our volunteer reach, community partnerships, and economies of scale in ways that will make homes dramatically healthier and safer for aging in place. We will return Hurricane Harvey-impacted seniors to homes with significant accessibility and safety upgrades. This support will help us to efficiently meet the significant needs of this city's most vulnerable populations.  We’re in this for the long haul.”

For more information on AARP Foundation and its hurricane relief fundraising efforts, please visit AARPFoundation.org.

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About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation works to ensure that low-income older adults have nutritious food, affordable, livable and healthy housing, a steady income, and strong and sustaining bonds. We collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our commitment to innovation and our passion for problem-solving. Supported by vigorous legal advocacy, we create and advance effective solutions that help struggling older adults transform their lives. AARP Foundation is the affiliated charity of AARP. Learn more at aarpfoundation.org.