The following is a review of housing recovery developments related to the 2017 and 2018 disasters since the last edition of Memo to Members and Partners (for the article in the previous Memo, see 12/3). NLIHC also posts this information at our On the Home Front blog.
General
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the READI (Readying Elders and Americans with Disabilities Inclusively) for Disasters Act (S.3679) on November 29. This proposal creates a network of centers to provide research, training, and technical assistance to increase involvement and support for people with disabilities and older adults during disaster relief and recovery.
2018 Disasters
California Wildfires
Federal
Survivors in Butte County may now apply for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which provides FEMA funding for hotel rooms. The agency published a fact sheet with information on eligibility for TSA.
FEMA issued a public notice regarding activities involving flood plains and historic properties.
Local Perspectives and Resources
A New York Times article tells of the already large pre-disaster homeless population in Butte County, north of Sacramento. The local government had declared in October that the number of people experiencing homelessness a “crisis” in need of state assistance. After the Camp Fire destroyed the homes of 14,000 families, a new group of homeless people are competing for the same scarce resources that eluded so many of those without homes before the fire.
Hurricane Michael
Florida
Federal
The deadline for survivors of Hurricane Michael in Florida to register with FEMA, the first step in obtaining any federal recovery assistance, is December 10. FEMA encourages all impacted residents to register with FEMA regardless of their insurance-coverage status. Federal recovery assistance may cover some damages that insurance does not.
FEMA published information about Small Business Administration Low-Interest Disaster Loans. According to a FEMA news release, “the SBA loan application is the key to opening the door to other types of assistance. So, if you submit an SBA loan application but are not offered a loan, you may be considered for other FEMA grants.”
Local Perspectives and Resources
More than half the public housing stock in Panama City was destroyed by Hurricane Michael. On December 4, the Housing Authority asked the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for $20 million in public funds to rebuild Massalina Memorial Homes under a plan endorsed by the Panama City Commission, which pledged a $354,000 loan contingent on the government award.
Hurricane Florence
North Carolina
Federal
The deadline for renters, homeowners, and business owners in North Carolina who sustained property damage or loss caused by Hurricane Florence to apply for assistance is Thursday, December 13.
FEMA published a fact sheet outlining how the agency determines if a structure is “substantially damaged.”
State and Local
Following a meeting with North Carolina’s congressional delegation, Governor Cooper requested an additional $6.3 billion in federal funding to help the state and communities recover from the devastation of Hurricane Florence. Governor Cooper also requested policy changes to streamline the process for administering Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds and to ensure the equitable treatment of survivors of Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
2017 Disasters
Federal Response
FEMA has extended the deadline for families impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas that are still residing in federally temporary housing units (trailers and manufactured units) to apply for assistance. The deadline is now August 25, 2019. A press release from Texas General Land Office (GLO) states that more than 60% of survivors remaining in THUs are low-income households.
Certain survivors of Hurricane Harvey who are living in FEMA temporary housing units (THUs) will be offered the opportunity to purchase their current unit. To qualify, the survivor must lack a permanent housing solution “through no fault of their own.” A press release from Texas GLO provides additional information.
State Action
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) announced the application for the Homeowner Assistance Program is now available. Potential applicants can apply online or in-person at a regional Homeowner Assistance Program office.
Local Perspectives and Resources
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida mobile bus has begun making the rounds in communities hit by Hurricane Irma last year. Using the CDBG-DR resources allocated by HUD, the mobile unit is part of a long-term recovery effort to repair and rebuild homes that were significantly damaged or destroyed, with priority funding going to people with disabilities and families with elders or children.
A Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) partner organization in San Juan, PR, Fideicomiso de la Tierra del Caño Martin Peña, was awarded $1 million from The Rockefeller Foundation and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The Communities Thrive Challenge grant recognizes the Puerto Rico community land trust’s demonstrated success and potential for future impact. Designed by residents who have been historically disenfranchised, the informal settlements in the heart of San Juan have legalized the relationship between more than 2,000 families and the land on which their homes stand and helped relocate over 700 families into safe, affordable housing – most within their neighborhoods. See this video to learn more about the model.