September 2026
September 26, 2026 · Site update
FHA203hLoans.com rebuilt; disaster tracker corrected
The site has been rebuilt with clearer guides, and the disaster-area tracker was checked against FEMA declaration data. Earlier versions listed Colorado counties based on a lender bulletin's zip codes; the tracker now uses FEMA's designated areas and gives each area a status label.
September 26, 2026 · Credit
VantageScore 5.0 article refreshed
The article on VantageScore 5.0, the tri-bureau credit score model announced by VantageScore, has been updated with notes on how disaster-related credit disruptions fit into recovery planning.
September 24, 2026 · Indiana Individual Assistance
Indiana DR-4933 amended: Cass, Pike, and Putnam counties added
An amendment to Indiana's major disaster declaration (DR-4933) added Cass, Pike, and Putnam counties for Individual Assistance, bringing the total to 24 counties. Households in the newly added counties whose primary residence was destroyed or badly damaged may now want to check 203(h) eligibility.
September 1, 2026 · Hawaii Individual Assistance
Hawaii DR-4936: major disaster declared for the May earthquake
A major disaster declaration (DR-4936) was issued for the magnitude 6.0 earthquake of May 22, 2026, with Individual Assistance designated for Hawaii County. Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
September 1, 2026 · Colorado Watching
Colorado DR-4944 approved for Public Assistance only; Individual Assistance not granted
FEMA data shows a major disaster declaration (DR-4944) dated September 1, 2026 for wildfires, flooding, and mudslides from June 27 to July 29, covering Custer, Dolores, Ouray, and Pueblo counties for Public Assistance. Individual Assistance was not granted; news reports around September 18–19 described the denial and a 30-day window for the state to appeal. Until Individual Assistance is approved, 203(h) availability there is uncertain.
September 1, 2026 · Texas Watching
Texas DR-4935 for summer storms is Public Assistance only
A Texas major disaster declaration (DR-4935) covers severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from July 12 to August 4, 2026. FEMA data shows no Individual Assistance designations as of September 26, 2026, so it doesn't typically open 203(h) for homeowners. It is separate from the spring Panhandle wildfires.
Declaration dates are from FEMA data and may differ by a day or two from press releases. Status can change — last checked September 26, 2026.
August 2026
August 25, 2026 · Indiana Individual Assistance
Indiana DR-4933: severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
A major disaster declaration (DR-4933) was issued for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding from August 11 to 24, 2026, initially with Individual Assistance in 21 counties, including Marion, Hamilton, Lake, and Porter. Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
August 7, 2026 · West Virginia Individual Assistance
West Virginia DR-4932 amended: Pleasants and Ritchie counties added
An amendment added Pleasants and Ritchie counties for Individual Assistance under West Virginia's July storm declaration, joining Lewis and Upshur counties.
August 3, 2026 · West Virginia Individual Assistance
West Virginia DR-4932: July 21–22 storms, flooding, and landslides
A major disaster declaration (DR-4932) was issued for severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides on July 21–22, 2026, with Individual Assistance for Lewis and Upshur counties. Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
August 3, 2026 · Mississippi Individual Assistance
Mississippi DR-4930: Tropical Storm Arthur
A major disaster declaration (DR-4930) was issued for Tropical Storm Arthur (June 18–20, 2026), with Individual Assistance for Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties. Arthur also led to a Louisiana declaration (DR-4927). Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
August 3, 2026 · Northern Mariana Islands Individual Assistance
CNMI DR-4931: Super Typhoon Bavi
A major disaster declaration (DR-4931) was issued for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands after Super Typhoon Bavi (July 4–12, 2026), with Individual Assistance for the Municipality of Rota. Residents should confirm local lender and FHA availability with Matthew.
203(h) is time-sensitive. Tell Matthew your county and what happened to your home — he'll help you check eligibility and next steps.
Talk with MatthewJuly 2026
July 20, 2026 · Louisiana Individual Assistance
Louisiana DR-4927 amended: Pointe Coupee and Lafourche parishes added
An amendment added Pointe Coupee and Lafourche parishes for Individual Assistance under Louisiana's Tropical Storm Arthur declaration, bringing the total to six parishes.
July 16, 2026 · Oregon Not eligible alone
Lower Dry Creek Fire receives a Fire Management Assistance Grant
FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FM-5645) for the Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla County, Oregon. An FMAG helps fund firefighting costs; it is not a major disaster declaration and doesn't by itself open 203(h). No major disaster declaration for this fire was found.
July 1, 2026 · Colorado
Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray receives an FMAG
FEMA authorized a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray, in Ouray County, Colorado. Colorado later requested a major disaster declaration (see the September entry above).
June 2026
June 30, 2026 · Michigan Individual Assistance
Michigan DR-4925: Individual Assistance in 27 counties
A major disaster declaration (DR-4925) was issued for Michigan severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from April 10–21, 2026, with Individual Assistance designated for 27 counties. The 203(h) window generally runs to around June 30, 2027 — confirm the exact date.
June 30, 2026 · Louisiana Individual Assistance
Louisiana DR-4927: Tropical Storm Arthur
A major disaster declaration (DR-4927) was issued for Tropical Storm Arthur (June 17–24, 2026), initially with Individual Assistance for Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne parishes. Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
June 30, 2026 · Wisconsin Individual Assistance
Wisconsin DR-4923: April storms, tornadoes, and flooding
A major disaster declaration (DR-4923) was issued for severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from April 13–23, 2026, with Individual Assistance for 19 counties — including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Brown, and Racine — and the Oneida Indian Reservation. Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
June 30, 2026 · Mississippi Individual Assistance
Mississippi DR-4922: May storms and tornadoes
A major disaster declaration (DR-4922) was issued for severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on May 6–7, 2026, with Individual Assistance for Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Wilkinson counties. Eligible households generally have about one year from the declaration date to have an FHA case number assigned — confirm the exact date.
May 2026
May 14–19, 2026 · Texas Watching
Panhandle wildfires burn homes in Randall and Deaf Smith counties
The Hunggate Fire burned roughly 34,000 acres across Randall and Deaf Smith counties, forcing evacuations near Canyon and destroying homes, and the Western Fire burned south of Canyon on May 15–16. As of September 26, 2026, no Presidential major disaster declaration with Individual Assistance was found for Randall County. Other financing paths may still help affected families.
How to read these updates
Only a Presidential major disaster (DR) declaration can open FHA 203(h). Emergency declarations (EM) and Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) are not major disaster declarations, and a Public Assistance only declaration may not make homeowners eligible. Many lenders focus on counties designated for Individual Assistance.
You can check any county yourself in FEMA's disaster declarations database — choose your state, open the declaration, and look at "Designated Areas" and the assistance type. Matthew will confirm whether your county's designation qualifies. New to the program? Start with how FHA 203(h) works.
Find out if FHA 203(h) fits your situation
Tell Matthew a little about the property and your plans. He'll follow up by phone or email — no obligation.
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