Presidential Declared Disaster Assistance Disaster Housing Operations for Individuals and Households
The Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
Program Accomplishments
Not available.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Restricted to Presidential-declared disaster or emergencies such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, floods, or wildfire, etc.
Program activates only after issuance of a presidential declaration.
Direct assistance under this program is used for temporarily housing disaster victims who lack available housing resources and would be unable to make use of potential financial assistance to rent an alternative place to live.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Individuals and households, in areas which have received a Presidential emergency or major disaster declaration, whose primary residence has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance are eligible to apply for this program.
The individual or household member must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
Direct Assistance - proof of residency, displacement must be caused by the disaster; and financial assistance to rent an alternative place to live is determined not to be a feasible option by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual/Family (located within a Presidentially - declared emergency or disaster area).
Credentials/Documentation
FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations at 44 CFR Part 206.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The State Governor makes a request for a Presidential declaration of an emergency or a major disaster through the FEMA Regional Director.
Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206, except as provided in Part 206.24(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily Federal responsibility.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
A Presidential disaster or emergency declaration must first be issued. Afterwards, individuals and households within an area which has received a Presidental disaster or emergency declaration, may register an application for assistance with FEMA via a toll-free number or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
Award Procedures
Funds are allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund for use in a designated emergency or major disaster area. Households receive assistance directly from FEMA or State.
Deadlines
Generally, individual and household applications for disaster assistance must be filed within 60 days of the disaster declaration.
Authorization
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended by Public Law 106-390.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Varies.
Appeals
Appeals of program decisions must be submitted in writing within 60 days of the date of the notification letter.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally, limited to an assistance period not exceeding 18 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly and final financial reports are required.
Audits
Internal program audits are conducted.
Records
Expenditure records (receipts) and related documents must be retained by the recipient for 3 years from the date of payment.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0702-0-1-453.
Obigations
(Housing Assistance) FY 07 $80,576,361; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Federal Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206.101.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane - Bldg. #410, Washington, DC 20528.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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