The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition is convening and supporting disaster-impacted communities to ensure that federal disaster recovery efforts reach all impacted households, including the lowest-income and most marginalized people who are often the hardest-hit by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover.
Learn more about the DHRC’s policy recommendations here.
Resources
HUD Community Resilience Toolkit: A guide to help residents of HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) funds identify opportunities to use their CPD dollars to mitigate the impacts of climate-related hazards.
Winter Storm
Forty-four families at a low-income townhouse community in Round Rock, Texas, are facing eviction following damage from the severe winter storms in February. The Townhouse at Double Creek, managed by Sandalwood properties, gave its residents seven days’ notice to move out of their homes. Williamson County Commissioner Terry Cook has written to Representative John Carter’s office and FEMA to get trailers sent for those evicted residents.
Renters in the 126 designated counties in Texas who were forced from their damaged homes because of the severe winter storms may apply for federal assistance, including FEMA’s rental assistance and aid under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance Program.
Disaster Legal Services is available for Oklahomans living in the 16 designated counties that were impacted during the February severe winter storms. Homeowners and renters who sustained damage can apply for disaster assistance with FEMA.
Hurricanes Laura & Delta
WWNO reports that as Lake Charles continues to face the destruction wrought by last year’s hurricanes, the region is battling high coronavirus cases. Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated Lake Charles, increasing homelessness and forcing families into overcrowded living arrangements – two factors that could be contributing to Lake Charles’ high COVID-19 rates.
FEMA is seeking property owners to help survivors find a home after Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Property types needed include multifamily homes, duplexes, community complexes, and commercial parks. The properties will be leased by FEMA for a period of up to 18 months under its Direct Lease Program. If an applicant moves out, FEMA may place another applicant in the unit.
Wildfires in the West
Oregon lawmakers are seeking to protect state-owned sites approved under Oregon’s Project Turnkey from lawsuits. Under House Bill 3261, Project Turnkey sites would be exempted from land use lawsuits at the local level in addition to low-income housing projects. Project Turnkey is a $65 million program to acquire hotels and motels for use as non-congregate shelters for wildfire survivors and people experiencing homelessness.