Some 200 Greater Port Arthur homeowners, eager for federal housing aid related to 2017 flooding, packed the 501 Building in downtown Port Arthur last week.

That was so last week.

Shaun Davis, who is overseeing the Port Arthur site at 501 Procter St., said this week lines are short and counselors are waiting to serve eligible area residents. Davis represents AECOM, the company contracted to help homeowners navigate the aid system.

“Now people can walk right in and get service,” Davis said. In fact, he said, that’s routinely been the case in Beaumont, where there has seldom been a wait for service. He said Port Arthur people, though, seem to prefer getting service in the downtown office. Even when lines were long last week, he said, few people would leave to be served more quickly in Beaumont.

Doors open at 9 and close at 4, Tuesday-Thursday, at the 501 Building, where the city is operating a “one-stop shop” where homeowners can file applications for federal aid and get counseling at one place. Port Arthur City Council funded the operation with $127,000 and it will remain open, probably for 10 weeks.

The Port Arthur office was among several that have opened in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin counties to serve eligible homeowners seeking federal help in fixing their homes. The federal government recently approved $205 million for allocation to those three counties to help homeowners on a first-come, first serve basis.

The federal money is being distributed through the state General Land Office. As much as 80 percent of Port Arthur went under water during the August 2017 Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey flooding.

“We knew initially the response would be intense,” Davis said Wednesday. “The process itself is pretty intense.”

He said there is no way to “move quickly” through the process; it takes time to process necessary documents. Thirteen caseworkers were available to help homeowners Wednesday morning.

Davis said after forms are submitted, a review panel checks them and, if they are complete, forwards them to where a decision can be made on allocating money.

There were some lines Wednesday, but it was for the Red Cross, not for homeowner assistance. The Red Cross was providing other, necessary services, he said.

Davis said Port Arthur’s city staff has been vigorous keeping the one-stop shop staffed and supplied.

“Everybody is engaged,” he said, in helping people enter the aid system.

He said applicants have been patient and appreciative during a process that, at times, can be tiring and stressful.