NLIHC joined the Hispanic Federation and the Puerto Rico-based organizations Fundacion Fondo De Acceso a la Justicia, Inc., Taller Salud, and Proyecto Matria in a letter to FEMA and HUD presenting a list of requests regarding the agencies’ response to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. The letter, released in both English and Spanish, builds upon a series of requests initially sent following the landfall of Hurricane Fiona in late September and covers multiple aspects of the disaster recovery process.
The letter requests that FEMA ensure that Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible to all disaster survivors, including those with audio or visual needs; that FEMA move to decrease call center waiting times that continue to average above 220 minutes; that the agency ensure case managers, inspectors, and employees are able to speak Spanish; that the agency reopen cases that were unfairly denied; and that the agency prioritize support for individuals who have continued to live under blue tarp roofs since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The letter requests that HUD work to avoid displacement of disaster survivors via its long-term recovery programs; that the agency work in collaboration with local non-profit and community organizations; that long-term recovery work is conducted with the maximum amount of transparency; and that the agency implement the Citizen Advisory Committee oversight structure for all future disaster recovery funds.
The letter is part of ongoing work by the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) to support its Puerto Rican partners in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. The Puerto Rico Working Group of the DHRC has been meeting regularly since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Read the letter at: https://bit.ly/3CVcKQS