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.
Reporting
Shelterforce examines the two-fold devastation that flooding causes colonias in the Rio Grande Valley: the initial destruction caused by floods and the resulting cycle of debt and poverty from predatory loans. The article discusses how environmental racism and failed policy contribute to this cycle of destruction, calling attention to FEMA’s continued refusal to provide home repair aid based on evaluations of private contractors who determine the homes had “deferred maintenance.”
Hurricanes Laura & Delta
After months in hotel shelters due to Hurricanes Delta and Laura, thousands of evacuees remain without long-term housing as officials phase out the hotel shelter program. As of November 13, 2,606 people remain in five hotels in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Terrebonne, and Lafayette – with many evacuees reporting they have nowhere to go.
Renters and homeowners in parishes designated for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Delta have until December 16 to register for help.
Hurricane Sally
In Alabama, residents of Baldwin, Escambia, and Mobile counties with uninsured damages or losses from Hurricane Sally have only two days left to apply for federal disaster assistance grants. The deadline is Thursday, November 19.
Wildfires in the West
California
FEMA announced that Mendocino and Stanislaus counties have been approved for federal disaster assistance to individuals and households, as well as for repairs or rebuilding of community infrastructure, as part of the major wildfire disaster declaration approved August 22.
Oregon
The deadline for survivors of Oregon wildfires to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance and disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been extended to Monday, November 30.