The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition stands ready to convene and support 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.
Wildfires in the West
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on September 16 announced the availability of assistance for residents and agricultural producers affected by the recent wildfires.
California (DR-4558-CA):
Federal Response
The major disaster declaration for California wildfires has been amended to provide more federal assistance to affected areas via FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program.
Reporting
The Desert Sun reports farmworker groups have said workers have received virtually no N95 masks, but state and agriculture groups allege they have distributed millions.
Democracy Now spoke to Estella Cisneros, legal director of the agriculture worker program for California Legal Assistance, about the “triple threat” of the pandemic, wildfires, and heatwave undocumented farmworkers face. “Farmworkers have continued to work during this whole time, despite fears of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace, despite fears of getting heat stress while they’re at work, and now despite fears of the dangers that wildfire smoke brings,” says Cisneros.
Global Citizen discusses the dangers facing the more than 150,000 people who are homeless in California amid the wildfires and ongoing pandemic.
Oregon (DR-4562-OR):
Federal Response
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on September 17 federal disaster assistance for Oregon to support homeowners and low-income renters displaced from their homes in areas affected by wildfires.
FEMA on September 15 announced President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Oregon. Individual Assistance is available to individuals in eight counties. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, is available for 20 counties. Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
The Oregon delegation sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor on September 12, urging the agency to make available the greatest range of assistance programs requested by Governor Kate Brown and waive cost-share requirements in response to the wildfires.
Reporting
The Portland Business Journal reports on concerns that the challenges facing people who are homeless – including the more than 2,000 people in Multnomah County who live outdoors – will escalate, even after the wildfire smoke dissipates. “I worry that we will end up with a humanitarian crisis this winter with the homeless considerably beyond what we have seen in the past because of this series of crises, the limitations on funding, and conflicting priorities in homeless policy,” said the executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem.
Street Roots reports on the health risks facing people experiencing homelessness in Portland amidst the toxic air and difficulty accessing resources. Advocates fear that long hold times for people contacting the 211 line are hindering access to shelters and resources for unsheltered individuals seeking assistance.
The Statesman Journal reports on the hazardous smoke conditions facing the more than 1,000 unsheltered individuals in Marion and Polk counties. Advocates in Salem are taking steps to protect unsheltered individuals amid the wildfires and ongoing pandemic.
USA Today reports on the wildfires that have devastated entire neighborhoods and communities across Oregon. Many of the destroyed homes were mobile homes or RVs housing some of the area’s lowest-income renters.
The Register-Guard reports on efforts by nonprofits and advocates to support unsheltered individuals in the Eugene area amid the wildfires and hazardous air conditions.
Local Resources
Resources are available from Oregon Law Help (translated into Spanish).
The Lebanon Express compiled a list of wildfire assistance resources.
Hurricane Sally
President Trump approved emergency declarations for Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi in response to Hurricane Sally.
Alabama (EM-3545-AL):
Federal Response
FEMA announced on September 15 President Trump approved Alabama’s emergency declaration in response to Hurricane Sally.
Florida (EM-3546-FL):
Federal Response
FEMA announced on September 16 President Trump approved Florida’s emergency declaration. Emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, have been approved for seven counties. Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, is approved for six counties.
Louisiana (EM-3543-LA):
Federal Response
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on September 12 and requested a Federal Declaration of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Sally on September 13. President Trump approved Louisiana’s emergency declaration on September 14.
Reporting
In response to a question from the Lens about New Orleans’ plan for housing the unsheltered population during Hurricane Sally, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city has enough shelter beds for anyone who needs one. The city has reported an increase in people experiencing homelessness in recent weeks.
Mississippi:
Federal Response
President Trump approved an emergency declaration for Mississippi ahead of Hurricane Sally.
Hurricane Laura
Louisiana:
Federal Response
FEMA approved three additional Louisiana parishes for Individual Assistance (IA). Homeowners and renters in Caddo, La Salle, and St. Landry Parishes may apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses from Hurricane Laura.
Reporting
The Associated Press reports nearly 200 families forced from their homes when Hurricane Laura struck Louisiana are now facing illegal threats of eviction.
General Resources & Events
The Sierra Club examines the impact of natural disasters on people living with disabilities. The unfolding eviction crisis could leave millions of people with disabilities homeless amid the ongoing public health crisis and increasingly severe natural disasters. Inclusivity experts, disability advocates, and individuals with disabilities are calling attention to our country’s systemic failure to address the needs of people with disabilities in disaster preparedness and response.