Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and Households in Presidential Declared Disaster Areas
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
In previous fiscal years, this program provided assistance to individuals and households affected by disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or flooding etc. For example, approximately 1.3 million households were approved for assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Restricted to Presidential-declared disasters or emergencies, such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or flood, etc.
Program activates only after issuance of a presidential declaration.
Housing Assistance, either Financial or Direct, may be provided for the following: (1) Temporary Housing, (2) Home Repair, (3) Home Replacement and (4) Permanent Housing Construction.
Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned.
Other Needs Assistance may be provided for: (1) Medical, (2) Dental, (3) Funeral, (4) Personal Property, (5) Transportation, and (6) Other Miscellaneous Expenses.
Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned.
If the State is providing for other needs under Section 408(f) of the Stafford Act, please refer to CFDA 97.050.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Individuals and households, in areas declared an emergency or major disaster by the President, whose primary residence has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance, are eligible to apply for this program.
All needs must be caused by the disaster.
The individual or a member of the household must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
Housing Assistance: 1) Temporary Housing Assistance - proof of primary residence; disaster caused displacement, and/or paid receipts for Rent or Lodging Expenses; 2) Repair - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; disaster related home damage; 3) Replacement - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; home destroyed by the disaster; 4) Permanent Housing Construction - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; disaster related home damage, home is located in an insular area outside the continental United States or in other remote locations.
Alternative housing resources are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective.
Other Needs Assistance: 1)Medical-disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for medical treatment; 2) Dental-disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for treatment; 3) Funeral - disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for services; 4) Personal Property proof of ownership; disaster related personal property damage; 5)Transportation, proof of ownership; vehicle complies with State laws, disaster caused vehicle damage; 6) Other Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs Identified, the expense or need must be caused by the disaster and approved by FEMA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual/Family; Homeowner (located within an area which has been designated as a disaster area, by Presidential declaration).
Credentials/Documentation
FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations at 44 CFR Part 206.110-120.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Based on damage assessments and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery, the State Governor makes a request (through the FEMA regional Director) for a Presidential Declaration for an emergency or major disaster.
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 Program.
If the State has selected the program for Review, 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.
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.
Application Procedures
A Presidential Disaster or Emergency Declaration must be issued, before individuals and households can register an application for assistance with FEMA via a toll-free number or FEMA's Internet Application or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. Applications will not be accepted from individuals residing outside of the area declared as a disaster.
Award Procedures
Funds are allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund for use in a designated emergency or major disaster. Households receive assistance directly from FEMA or through disaster aid programs of other participating federal or state agencies.
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, in general 7-21 days.
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
Housing - not applicable. Other Needs - FEMA or the State may administer the Other Needs Assistance Program. State provides 25 percent of the funds for the total number of grants disbursed for the designated disaster. Federal Government provides the remaining 75 percent of the costs for grant awards as well as the regulations, policies, and procedures that govern the program. States may also receive up to 5 percent of the Federal share of the program for administrative costs. The Governor may request a loan of the State's 25 percent share.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally, one time grant assistance with a total assistance period not exceeding 18 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
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
FY 07 $189,366,831; FY 08 est not available; FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 07, assistance ranged from $50.00 - $28,200.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Federal Emergency Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206.110-120.
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
None.
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