All activities under this program are conducted in accordance with the G.A.`s housing guidelines, which limit restrictions on repairs, environmental regulations and other rules that the GLO must follow in the management of this program. Dickinson`s request for assistance in rebuilding homes and businesses requires residents not to boycott Israel for the duration of the agreement, as indicated in a form published on the city`s website. A Texas town, about 30 miles from Houston, is asking people seeking a grant to pay for Hurricane Harvey repairs to promise not to boycott Israel. “People who want to help rebuild areas devastated by natural disasters must pass a litmus test for their thoughts on the Middle East,” Munayyer said. “Even for someone like me, aware of this kind of legislation, it`s shocking to see that it`s applied to hurricane relief.” “The First Amendment protects americans` right to boycott and the government cannot condition hurricane aid or any other public benefit by 52gizing protected political statements,” Segura said in a written statement. However, the agreement also defines the beneficiary as an “independent contractor.” Starting in October 2017, potential recipients of a Dickinson repair grant in Texas will have to promise not to boycott Israel. The American Civil Liberties Union strongly opposed the rule and criticized it as a violation of freedom of expression. Residents seeking help for Hurricane Harvey for the storm-hit city of Dickinson are no longer asked not to boycott Israel, a request the ACLU called unconstitutional. The City of Dickinson, Tx. has posted an application form for assistance on its website, collected from donations to the Dickinson Harvey Relief Fund, about two months after Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast. A provision of the application invites people to verify that they are not boycotting Israel and to promise not to do so during the terms of the agreement. A request for a Hurricane Harvey Repair Grant, published this week on the Dickinson City website, contains a “Verification not to Boycott Israel” clause.
Rehabilitation: repair or restoration of storm-affected housing units in affected areas according to applicable codes and standards. Renovations are provided for homes that have up to $65,000 in estimated event repairs. All the other houses are rebuilt. Owners must agree to reside in the renovated home for three years, in addition to other program requirements. In the event of a notification of a disaster by the governor, authorities directly responding to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath will have broad ownership transfer and exemption power from certain GAA requirements, with the LBB and the governor notified beforehand. This provision is intended to speed up the use of funds. Those applying for a grant must sign an agreement with the City of Dickinson “to provide funds to help rebuild a home or business affected by Hurricane Harvey within the city, which will maintain city revenue and revenue taxes, as well as other benefits to the city as a whole.” To rebuild, the Dickinson Municipal Government offers grants to entrepreneurs who want to help with aid, but only if the candidates agree not to boycott Israel. The town of Dickinson, galveston County, was one of the hardest hit when torrential rains from Hurricane Harvey hit Texas.