The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition stands ready to convene and support 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.
General Resources & Events
Ayuda Legal, Puerto Rico released a report, Towards a Just Recovery, Part II, in September.
Hurricanes Laura & Delta
FEMA announced the deadline to register for Hurricane Laura assistance has been extended to November 27 in all parishes designated for Individual Assistance.
Hurricane Delta survivors with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program are beginning to make claims on their damaged properties. FEMA outlines what these survivors should expect during the claims process. Since Hurricane Delta struck, over 1,300 insurance claims have been filed.
USDA announced the approval of the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for low-income Louisiana residents impacted by Hurricane Delta.
The Orange County Office of Emergency Management informed residents on October 21 to separate their Hurricane Delta debris from their Hurricane Laura debris. The debris must be separated to avoid FEMA claiming “duplication of benefits” and refusing to reimburse costs. “It’s a FEMA regulation that requires that we separate those,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Joel Ardoin. “I know that sounds crazy, but it’s a FEMA requirement.”
Hurricane Zeta
President Trump approved Emergency Declarations for Louisiana (EM- 3549-LA) and Mississippi (EM-3550-MS), to supplement state and local response efforts to areas impacted by Hurricane Zeta. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance for 35 parishes in Louisiana and emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance to 29 parishes in Louisiana. FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance for 13 counties in Mississippi.
CBS News reports that as Louisiana prepared for Hurricane Zeta, there were concerns about people left without homes as a result of Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Louisiana is sheltering about 3,600 evacuees from those hurricanes, most in New Orleans area hotels.
Hurricane Sally
FEMA issued a public notice stating its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for costs to repair or replace facilities damaged by Hurricane Sally in Florida, under disaster declaration DR-4564-FL. The notice describes activities that may affect historic properties and activities and actions that may affect wetlands and floodplains.
Wildfires in the West
California
FEMA announced the Individuals and Housing Program (IHP) is available to all eligible renters and homeowners in the ten counties covered in the October 16 federal disaster declaration (DR-4569-CA). Federal assistance may help pay for temporary housing and other needs not covered by insurance. As of October 22, Napa, Shasta, and Sonoma counties have been added to the list of California counties designated for federal disaster assistance.
Oregon
Oregon’s Project Turnkey dedicated $65 million from the state’s Emergency Fund to purchase 1,000 hotel units from financially distressed properties to serve as temporary housing. The Legislative Board approved $30 million for wildfire survivors but voted against an additional $35 million for people experiencing homelessness.
FEMA announced that Oregon residents displaced from their homes by the wildfires may find FEMA rental assistance beneficial to their recovery. FEMA outlines what survivors must do if they think their home is uninhabitable and need rental assistance.
The Joint Legislative Emergency Board announced it will reallocate more than $390 million in funds toward wildfire recovery, including $10 million in funding to the Housing and Community Services Department to support the provision of shelter and related services.
The LA Times reports that California farmworkers fear a winter of hunger and homelessness amid the ongoing pandemic and in the wake of the devastating wildfires.