In the wake of devastating natural disasters, communities across the United States rely on expert firms to navigate the complex path to recovery. HORNE, a nationally recognized leader in disaster recovery and grant management, has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner, earning widespread recognition for its work, particularly in Florida.
With over 19 years of experience managing more than $122 billion in federal awards, HORNE’s innovative and compliant solutions have earned widespread praise–reflected in letters of endorsement from state officials and clients nationwide. Nowhere is this more evident than in its work on Florida’s Hurricane Michael Disaster Recovery Program.
Florida’s Hurricane Michael Recovery: A Model of Efficiency
HORNE’s work in Florida, under the purview of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (now known as FloridaCommerce), has been nothing short of remarkable. Managing the Hurricane Michael Disaster Recovery Program, HORNE demonstrated unparalleled efficiency. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in July 2023 the successful conclusion of the Hurricane Michael Housing Repair and Replacement Program (HRRP)–three years ahead of schedule. This achievement underscores HORNE’s ability to deliver results under pressure, ensuring that Floridians impacted by the hurricane can return to their homes swiftly.
In Florida alone, HORNE’s ability to streamline recovery efforts has made a tangible difference in rebuilding communities after disaster.The firm’s track record in Florida is part of a broader pattern of excellence. HORNE has supported tens of thousands of families nationwide in returning to their homes, handled a vast number of intake applications, completed numerous eligibility reviews, and constructed thousands of homes.
A Trusted Partner Across States
HORNE’s expertise extends far beyond Florida, with state officials from West Virginia, California, Mississippi, and Texas lauding the firm’s contributions.
In West Virginia, following the devastating 2016 floods, Acting Cabinet Secretary W. Clayton Burch, West Virginia Department of Commerce, praised HORNE’s impact: “HORNE immediately provided this specialized expertise and the depth and breadth of HORNE’s knowledge, combined with the team’s offering of beneficial programmatic solutions, positioned us well to successfully tackle the primary mission of restoring the areas of the Mountain State that were most impacted by these floods.” Burch further noted, “HORNE proved to be a dedicated, reliable, and trustworthy partner throughout this recovery process and it is clear why so many other states across the country rely on your firm.”
Mississippi officials echoed the sentiment. Working with the Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA) Disaster Recovery Division, HORNE delivered over $3 billion in housing initiatives following Hurricane Katrina—constructing or rehabilitating homes for more than 5,000 households and providing direct grant assistance to nearly 30,000 homeowners. HORNE's efforts helped the state complete the Homeowners Assistance Program a year ahead of schedule, saving an estimated $30 million, and maintaining exceptionally high standards of program integrity.
Nell Rogers, Bureau Manager, Disaster Recovery, MDA, noted in a letter, “Many of the practices developed by HORNE LLP for Mississippi have been deemed ‘Best Practices’ by HUD and have been featured in training sessions for new disaster grantees.” This kind of acknowledgment emphasizes HORNE’s authority and influence in the field.
Additionally, Jon Mabry, who previously served as COO of MDA’s Disaster Recovery Division attested, “I can say unequivocally, HORNE has an innate willingness to be accountable, to perform a quality job, timely and within budget and, most importantly, to ultimately provide a service that well serves both the taxpayers and disaster victims for which these programs are intended.”
Another standout example of HORNE’s rapid response capabilities comes from California, where the firm hired and trained 1,300 personnel in just 30 days to support a rental assistance program, ultimately disbursing over $4.7 billion to those in need. Such feats highlight HORNE’s capacity to mobilize resources quickly and efficiently, delivering measurable benefits to communities.
Adapting to Local Needs, Delivering National Results
HORNE’s ability to adapt to local regulations and needs has been another key to its success.
In Texas, Mark Havens, Chief Clerk, the Texas General Land Office under Commissioner George P. Bush, acknowledged HORNE’s critical role in supporting the agency during the first state-administered Direct Housing Mission in response to Hurricane Harvey. HORNE delivered timely responses to data requests from the Governor’s Office, FEMA, the State Auditor, and the internal audit teams by leveraging a live, web-based reporting platform.
Similarly in South Carolina, Benjamin Duncan, II, Chief Resilience Officer, South Carolina Office of Resilience, stated, “HORNE understands that knowledge of local regulations, statutes, and culture is integral to the success of any program, especially programs with a high case value and where multiple entities need to regularly access the data.”
Industry Recognition and Client Trust
HORNE’s contributions have not gone unnoticed in the industry. The firm is ranked #13 as a Program Management Firm and #19 as a Construction Management Firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR), reflecting its leadership in the field. States like Mississippi, Texas, and the territory of Puerto Rico have repeatedly selected HORNE for ongoing and new recovery programs, a clear indicator of the trust and confidence clients place in the firm.
West Virginia’s Burch summarized HORNE’s value succinctly: “Your highly skilled team members worked alongside the West Virginia Development Office for many months providing unique expertise and high-quality work.”
Looking Ahead
As natural disasters continue challenging communities, HORNE’s proven track record positions it as a vital partner in rebuilding lives and infrastructure. In Florida, where the scars of the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons linger, HORNE’s ability to swiftly complete recovery efforts provides hope and stability to affected families. With a legacy of assisting families and managing federal resources, HORNE remains a beacon of reliability and excellence in disaster recovery.
