Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Susan Collins (R-ME), and 12 other Senators reintroduced the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2023” in the Senate on May 18. The bill is strongly supported by NLIHC and the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC). The bipartisan bill contains critical reforms proposed by DHRC members to help ensure the federal government’s long-term disaster recovery program, the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, better serves disaster survivors with the lowest incomes and their communities.
The CDBG-DR program is currently unauthorized, meaning that HUD must create and publish new rules and regulations each time funds are approved by Congress for the program. These additional requirements prevent sorely needed long-term recover funds from reaching disaster survivors quickly. The “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” would permanently authorize the CDBG-DR program and direct HUD to codify program requirements, allowing states to anticipate program rules and prepare before disasters strike. The bill would also cement the requirement that funds be used to assist low-income disaster survivors, authorize “quick-release” funding to support state and local capacity in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, and allow HUD to assist disaster-damaged communities without waiting for congressional approval.
The reintroduced version of the bill is identical to the previous version introduced in the Senate during the previous conference. While the bill failed to move out of the Senate Banking Committee last year, the house version of the bill was passed on the floor as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, but the language failed to survive negotiations regarding the final package. Despite the similar language, the bipartisan support for the legislation has grown significantly, with 12 original sponsors of the package.
NLIHC and the DHRC will continue working to pass this important piece of disaster recovery legislation.
Additional disaster recovery updates below.
Congressional and National Updates
The University of Southern California blog profiled NLIHC Board Member and founding member of the DHRC Chrishelle Palay’s journey to working in disaster recovery.
Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson, Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced the creation of the Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) was interviewed about disaster recovery funding issues leading to a slow disbursement of funding in North Carolina. The Senator called for permanent authorization of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) via the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act.
Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) introduced the “Mudslide Recovery Act” which establishes a pilot grant program to address damage from mudslides.
Central Californian lawmakers continue to press for federal funding for farmers impacted by repeated severe rain events known as atmospheric rivers.
Governing covered the ending of the COVID Public Health Emergency and how it will impact the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
An article by Sarah Labowitz in Just Security calls for a coherent climate disaster strategy – including the permanent authorization of the CDBG-DR program.
An article by Shana Udvardy released by the Union of Concerned Scientists called for additional policy reforms necessary to address the creation and impact of wildfires.
State and Local
California
The Eagle Point Apartments, located in Paradise CA, which was razed by the 2018 Camp Fire, will provide 43 units of badly needed affordable housing to the area. The apartments are funded by HUD CDBG-DR funds.
California’s agricultural communities are working to recover from catastrophic flooding, with housing being a chief concern.
Colorado
Marshall fire recovery efforts are reaching the limit on philanthropic funding as local philanthropic groups face complex decisions and federal resources prove scarce.
Florida
Cape Coral residents want to use the $1.1 billion awarded to Lee County through the CDBG-DR program to increase the resilience of the area to hurricanes and better prepare for future storms.
Hawaii
Recovery is slow, but progress is being made as communities impacted by the 2018 Kilauea eruption rebuild. That eruption destroyed more than 700 homes.
Kentucky
Temporary housing for survivors of the 2022 Western Kentucky tornados will be ending in mid-June per an announcement from FEMA. FEMA states that only 20 households remain in the temporary housing.
Louisiana
Lake Charles is pushing to rebuild a large public housing complex, but some wonder if that goal is unattainable given the realities of disaster recovery.
Louisiana’s Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program, funded by HUD, is expanding eligibility to homeowners who sustained FEMA verified damage above $3,000. The program provides repair funding and other assistance for individuals rebuilding after the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes.
Minnesota
Two bills in the Minnesota legislature aim to assist the city of Spring Grove as it recovers from a devastating December fire.
New Mexico
Wildfire season is underway in New Mexico – with the Lincoln National Forest upgrading its fire danger warning to “high” this week. The Park Fire in early may burned 3,000 acres after being started by a lightning strike.
Oregon
The last survivor of the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020 has left the long-term shelter program. While the sheltering portion has ended, the state’s Office of Resilience and Emergency Management said they are continuing to guide 333 families through insurance claims, FEMA paperwork, and finding alternative forms of funding.
Virginia
After FEMA failed to approve a disaster declaration for Southwest VA for flooding in 2021 and state funding delays that slowed the arrival of relief money, recovery in the region are continuing.
Moment of Optimism
Gwen Johnson of the Hemphill Community Center in Jackhorn, KY details some unexpected help they received in the aftermath of the 2022 East Kentucky Floods.