City of Austin, Local Community Organizations, and Volunteer Skilled TradeExperts Partner to Repair Winter Storm Damages for Residents and Businesses

City of Austin, Local Community Organizations, and Volunteer Skilled Trade Experts Partner to Repair Winter Storm Damages for Residents and Businesses Visit austintexas.gov/atxrepairs for Austin Winter Storm Repair Fund details and donations Austin, TX - The City of Austin and community partners announce a new collaboration to connect volunteer professionals traveling to Austin to help repair winter storm damage to residents in need. The Austin Winter Storm Repair Fund includes local and national donations of funds and professional services to make repairs to ongoing plumbing and structural damages caused by the effects of Winter Storm Uri.  "We have a gracious network of community partners and national organizations that have come together to provide critical services to Austinites still in need," notes Austin Mayor Steve Adler. "These groups continue to be a vital resource in restoring our community from the effects of last month's winter storm." The City of Austin, with the support of Mayor Adler, is partnering with community groups and professional agencies to provide connections to critical resources for Austin residents and business owners. Water Mission is coordinating through Plumbers Without Borders to recruit licensed plumbers nationwide providing volunteer repairs here locally. Radiant Plumbing & Air Conditioning is providing licensing for the internal dispatch system and oversight in vetting out-of-state plumbers.  The Austin Disaster Relief Network will assign skilled volunteers to repair projects which can include small businesses and residences in central Texas. Trade volunteers sought include plumber, electrician, carpenter, flooring installer, painter, drywall installer & taper, and general contractor. Additionally, the Austin Area Urban League will coordinate to provide hotel accommodations and cover expenses for all volunteer professionals through the Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress. Request Repair Service Residents requesting plumbing repair assistance in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties can call the "Crisis Clean Up" toll free hotline number at 1-800-329-8052. The hotline operates Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Residents requesting general repair and rebuilding assistance should call Austin Disaster Relief Network online at www.adrn.org/assistance or by phone at 512-806-0800. The hotline will be open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Volunteers will not ask for payment or personal information. Residents are encouraged to review Tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help avoid post-disaster scams. Donate Supporting the Austin Winter Storm Repair Fund ensures that proceeds go towards providing housing and for skilled trade volunteers, cost of travel to and around Central Texas to job sites, food for volunteers, and material costs. Donate through the Austin Area Urban League at www.aaul.org/winter-storm-uri. Volunteer Skilled trade professionals can sign up to volunteer for repairs through the Austin Disaster Relief Network at www.adrn.org/repair. All out-of-state skilled laborers are required to register prior to coming to Austin. Volunteers must complete a background check and provide one personal and professional reference, prior to scheduling their trip. A representative from the Austin Disaster Relief Network or Water Mission will contact all registered volunteers. Emergency Home Repair Program Additionally, the City of Austin Housing and Planning Department has launched an Emergency Home Repair initiative to assist low-income homeowners in repairing damages due to the February 2021 Severe Winter Storm. The program provides income-eligible applicants up to $10,000 in repairs or modifications caused by the February 2021 Severe Winter Storm. To be eligible, homeowners must have a household income at or below 80% MFI, and the property must be located in Austin's full-purpose city limits. Homeowners can get more information and apply using the Information Request Form online at AustinTexas.gov/HomeRepairs. Program information and the form for the  Emergency Repair program, is available in English and Spanish on the home repair program webpage. Storm Debris Pickup To accommodate any debris from repair and recovery, the City of Austin is temporarily opening the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant for storm debris drop-off through April 3, 2021. Austin residents can take their storm debris, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., for self-serve storm debris drop off at 2210 FM 973, Austin, TX 78725. Tree limbs, branches, shrubs and leaves will be accepted. Treated or painted lumber, particleboard, construction materials and trash are prohibited. Visitors to www.austintexas.gov/atxrepairs will find information about safety for repairs, plumbers, electricians, and other contractors; code compliance and service requests; the City's emergency permitting process; homeowner's funding assistance; and federal and local assistance programs. Residents are encouraged to visit the City of Austin's Cold Weather Emergency Resources webpage for information on water and food distribution, utility services, and more. To receive the latest updates on City services, follow @AustinTexasGov on Twitter and like @AustinTexasGov on Facebook.