The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition is convening and supporting disaster-impacted communities to ensure that federal disaster recovery efforts reach all impacted households, including the lowest-income and most marginalized people who are often the hardest-hit by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover.
Resources
American Flood Coalition: Turning the Tide: Opportunities to Build Social Equity Through Federal Flood Disaster Policy
Hurricanes Laura & Delta
FEMA announced on October 30 that additional disaster assistance is available to Louisiana for damages as a result of Hurricane Laura. This assistance allows for additional funding at 100% federal cost-share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for 30 continuous days. Previously, federal funding was available at a 75% cost-share.
The Advocate reports that of the nearly 1400 Lake Charles evacuees who were temporarily residing in New Orleans’ hotels and ordered to return home, 571 survivors requested a reassessment, challenging the government’s initial classification that their homes had “minor” or “moderate” damage. Of those, 287 assessments were upgraded to “major” and 56 were upgraded to “destroyed,” giving those residents the option of returning to a state-provided hotel.
Hurricane Sally
Alabama
Homeowners and renters of Baldwin, Escambia, and Mobile counties with uninsured damage or losses from Hurricane Sally have only two weeks left to register for disaster assistance. The FEMA registration deadline is November 19.
Iowa Derecho
United Way of Eastern Iowa announced a new $500,00 program to assist those impacted by the derecho make home repairs. Displaced renters will be referred to the rental assistance program, or, if facing homelessness, entered into the centralized intake system. Homeowners will be referred to nonprofit organizations based on their repair needs.
Tropical Storm Isaías
If you received temporary rental assistance from FEMA after Tropical Storm Isaías, you can take two steps to continue receiving those benefits.
Wildfires in the West
Oregon
Oregon residents impacted by wildfires in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties still have time to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is November 16.
In response to the devastation caused by Oregon wildfires, FEMA has extended the period for soliciting property owners to participate in Multi-Family Lease and Repair (MLR). With MLR, multiple firm-fixed-priced contracts may be awarded to provide housing assistance to affected families.
While the Almeda Fire burned more than 1,000 mobile homes in 18 parks in Jackson County, some mobile homes were saved. Owners and residents of manufactured homes that survived the fire face difficult decisions about whether it is safe to move back and if they can afford to remain or rebuild.