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 and Events
Join the Emerging Leaders Peer Network on Thursday, February 18, at 5:30 pm PST for a virtual watch party and discussion on Rebuilding Paradise. From director Ron Howard, Rebuilding Paradise tells the story of how a community ravaged by the devastating Camp Fire came together to recover what was lost and begin the task of rebuilding.
Puerto Rico
The New York Times reports the Biden administration announced it will release $1.3 billion in aid that Puerto Rico can use to protect against future climate disasters. Additionally, the administration is starting to remove some restrictions put in place by the Trump administration on spending that was meant to help Puerto Rico rebuild after Hurricane Maria in 2017.
HUD and Puerto Rico’s housing department, Departamento de la Vivienda, announced two partial approvals of Vivienda’s Action Plan, approving the use of $6 billion in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding for Puerto Rico. “HUD and the Biden Administration are committed to working with Puerto Rico to reset our relationship on the island’s recovery efforts, and the action we are taking will play a key role in this effort by ensuring that Puerto Rico is able to access and spend critical disaster and recovery funds on urgent unmet needs,” said Arthur Jemison, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Community Planning and Development.
Wildfires in the West
In response to the devastation caused by last year’s Oregon wildfires, FEMA is soliciting owners with properties previously used as multi-family rental housing, that with financial assistance, could be quickly repaired to local, state, and federal codes and standards.