The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition convenes and supports 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.
Federal Updates
Congress
Representative Val Demings (D-FL) introduced the “Federal Disaster Housing Stability Act of 2021,” legislation that would automatically trigger a temporary moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures for homeowners with federally backed mortgages when a disaster is declared. Housing advocacy groups, including NLIHC and the National Housing Law Project, support the legislation. “Congress should enact the Federal Disaster Housing Stability Act from Congresswoman Demings as part of a comprehensive overhaul of our nation’s disaster housing recovery framework to ensure a complete and equitable recovery for survivors,” said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel.
In case you missed it:
- Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Todd Young (R-IN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” on July 22. NLIHC and the DHRC strongly support the bill. Learn more here.
- “The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act” (H.R. 3037), introduced by Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), was unanimously approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 28, thanks in large part to the advocacy of the DHRC. A Senate version of the bill has not yet been introduced. Learn more here.
FEMA
FEMA announced on August 16 the full application launch of the National Risk Index, a new online resource that provides a clear, visual guide to natural hazard risks throughout the United States and information to help communities understand and mitigate these risks, including flooding, wildfire, extreme heat, or drought.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined CBS News to discuss FEMA’s preparations for the peak of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, how the agency is responding to climate change, and the impact of the pandemic on hurricane preparations. Administrator Criswell also appeared on MSNBC and CNN on August 9 to discuss the nearly $5 billion in mitigation grant funding available through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
Wildfires
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 104 large fires are burning nationwide, primarily in the West, where drought conditions and red flag warnings continue to fuel the wildfires. The Caldor Fire in the northern Sierra Nevada burned an estimated 50 homes in and around Grizzly Flats, a small Northern California town of about 1,200 people. Few homes were left standing after the wildfire raged through the town on Tuesday, August 17.
A total of 1,120 structures (including approximately 600 homes) have been destroyed, and another 74 structures have been damaged by the Dixie Fire in Northern California. The fire is threatening nearly 15,000 structures.
Research and Advocacy
Pew Charitable Trusts outlines five ways the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate would improve America’s flood resilience.
Housing advocates in Puerto Rico successfully advocated passage of disaster housing recovery legislation and emergency rental assistance during their most recent state legislative session. Learn more about Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico’s advocacy efforts here.