As requested by members of the Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC), below we present the latest information on erosion of federal disaster response and recovery capabilities. Given the sheer number of changes, this list is unlikely to be completely inclusive. If you see issues in your area that are not mentioned, please feel free to reach out to NLIHC’s Manager of Disaster Recovery, Noah Patton ([email protected]) and Disaster Housing Policy Analyst Meghan Mertyris ([email protected]).
Disaster Declarations and Preliminary Damage Assessments
- The president denied a request for a disaster declaration made by the State of Washington after a “Bomb Cyclone” impacted the state in late 2024. The letter denying the declaration did not provide a reason, though Washington Governor Bob Ferguson stated that the application met all the requirements. The state plans to appeal the decision.
- Arkansas received a denial from the federal government regarding its request for Individual Assistance (IA) for severe storms and tornados that impacted the state on March 14, 2025. The application for Public Assistance (PA) is still pending. The state plans to appeal.
Assistance Extension Denials
- North Carolina’s request for an extension of a 100% cost share determination for Hurricane Helene-related expenses was denied by the Administration as being “unnecessary.” The request was supported by a bipartisan group of NC Congressman and Senators. An extension would have continued the current policy that the federal government would fully reimburse state and local work to repair roads, infrastructure, and government operations in the area impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024. A similar request for an extension by the state of Georgia was denied in February.
FEMA Grant Pauses and Cancellations
- In January, the Department of Homeland Security issued a pause on all grants at FEMA – including Hazard Mitigation Grants, wildfire management grants, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Despite a Judge’s order siding with Attorneys General from 22 states and the District of Columbia that the ongoing pause violated an injunction, grant funds largely appear to remain paused. However, some Hazard Mitigation Grants have been issued.
- FEMA moved to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program earlier this month – recapturing over $800 million slated for climate mitigation projects across the country. Funds from projects approved in earlier years that have not already been spent are also being clawed back by the agency.
FEMA and Related Disaster Capabilities Reduction
- The Administration announced the termination of Americorp’s National Civilian Climate Conservation Corp – including the FEMA Corp, which provides aid workers to areas impacted by disasters. The remainder of Americorp’s administrative staff have been placed on leave.
- The fate of the Boston-area headquarters of FEMA’s Region 1 remains in doubt. Despite earlier attempts by the Administration to close the office, the office remains operational. New England congressional delegations pushed back on the proposed closing of the office in letters earlier this month.
- DHS Secretary offered a “buyout” to agency employees earlier this month. FEMA was not exempted from the offer. The deadline for employees taking the buyout to notify the agency was April 14. It is unknown how many employees have taken the offer.
- Travel restrictions put in place by the Administration are preventing FEMA officials from attending major hurricane and flood conferences ahead of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
- A task force of NC lawmakers commissioned by President Trump in January issued a report on April 16 that took a cautious tone to the Administration’s efforts against FEMA. The report offered common-sense reforms that could speed assistance to disaster-impacted areas without dismantling the agency.