Representatives Al Green (D-TX) and Ann Wagner (R-MO) introduced the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019” (H.R. 3702) on July 11. The bi-partisan legislation will formally authorize HUD’s Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and includes key reforms to the program recommended by NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC). The House Financial Services Committee is expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday, July 16.
NLIHC has a fact sheet detailing key reforms in the bill. More than 15 national housing organizations signed a letter calling for passage of the bill.
CDBG-DR provides states and communities with flexible, long-term recovery resources needed to rebuild affordable housing and infrastructure after a disaster. By formally authorizing the program, the bill would help ensure that the recovery process is administered consistently and that dollars can flow more quickly to communities in need.In addition, the bill includes important measures that would ensure scarce resources are targeted to families and communities most in need. The bill would require states to allocate resources equitably between housing and infrastructure priorities and among homeowners, renters, and people experiencing homelessness. By directing the HUD Office of Inspector General to oversee program outcomes, the bill would help ensure that CDBG-DR delivers on Congress’ intent to serve all eligible survivors. The bill would also make data available to the public about the impact of the disaster and how resources are spent, which would help promote transparency, allow effective public participation in the development of state recovery plans, and help state and local governments, philanthropic organizations, and researchers better identify critical gaps in services.
DHRC applauds both Representatives Green and Wagner for introducing this bill and calls on their congressional colleagues to quickly pass this important piece of legislation.
Government.com will have text and other information about H.R. 3702 at: https://bit.ly/2xK6udw
NLIHC’s fact sheet is at: https://bit.ly/2XDJyfD
The DHRC letter of support is at: https://bit.ly/2LO2OQk