HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) released last month an updated version of its “Public Housing Agency Disaster Readiness, Response, and Recovery Guidebook.” The guidebook, the last iteration of which was released in 2016, contains recommendations from HUD regarding the role of public housing agencies (PHAs) following disasters. New to the updated edition are sections regarding short- and long-term housing options for families displaced from federally assisted housing, funding strategies for disaster recovery, disaster communications, and financial management.
In a report released by NLIHC and the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation, “Taking Stock: Natural Hazards and Federally Assisted Housing,” the disaster-related risks for federal housing were found to be significantly higher than those facing non-assisted housing. Thirty-two percent of all federally assisted units are at relatively high or very high risk of negative impacts from disasters. Evidence from the latest American Housing Survey also indicates that federally assisted households are less likely to be prepared in advance of a disaster, such as by having access to vital financial information, access to a vehicle, or emergency funds for evacuating. The findings underscore the importance of ensuring that PHAs have plans in place to respond to the disaster recovery needs of their residents. While the guide only provides recommendations, the release of the new edition can help PHAs create plans that follow those suggestions.
In addition to the guidebook, FEMA has also released a fact sheet covering the Public Assistance (PA) process. PA is available to eligible entities in approved areas following disasters and provides reimbursement for emergency work conducted during the disaster and additional actions, such as debris removal, undertaken afterward. The fact sheet details the step-by-step process that PHAs can follow to apply for such assistance, as well as additional eligibility information.
Read the updated guidebook at: https://bit.ly/3ghBOKf
Read the FEMA PA fact sheet at: https://bit.ly/3Ty9Fgu
Read the joint NLIHC-PAHRC report at: https://bit.ly/3VMUIcj