A Houston federal judge has rejected an attempt by three religious organizations to receive disaster funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair their churches that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

The churches include Harvest Family Church, Hi-Way Tabernacle, and Rockport First Assembly of God, which all suffered damage to their sanctuaries, a steeple and a fellowship hall during the Aug. 27 storm, along with countless other buildings in the Houston area.

Private, nonprofit organizations

Government emergency relief is available under the Stafford Act, which allows for certain private nonprofit organizations to receive disaster funds when a natural disaster exceeds a state or local government's ability to respond.

To receive disaster funds from FEMA under the act, the private nonprofit must operate an eligible facility that provides noncritical, but essential government service. However, the act excludes some services, including facilities used for political, athletic or religious services. But when a private nonprofit facility provides multiple services, it is allowed to receive funding if FEMA determines that less that 50% of the facility's physical space is dedicated to ineligible services.