Recertification, What Does It All Mean?
Release Date: April 26, 2006
Release Number: 1604-337
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BILOXI, Miss. Temporary housing offered to eligible families displaced by a disaster is just thattemporary and should not be viewed as a permanent solution. Direct housing assistance provided by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is available for a period of not more than 18 months from the date of the Presidential disaster declaration. The declaration for Hurricane Katrina was made on Aug. 29, 2005.
Recertification refers to the process which allows FEMA to review the occupants' plans for moving into permanent housing and to determine the continued need for temporary housing. To date, there are nearly 40,000 occupants to be recertified. Depending on individual circumstances, occupants will receive one on-site visit every 60 to 90 days at their temporary home and many telephone follow-ups.
What are the responsibilities of temporary housing occupants?
- Occupants should develop and pursue permanent housing plans while living in FEMA-provided temporary housing.
- Families in FEMA-provided travel trailers or mobile homes should accept the first offer of adequate, alternate housing when it becomes available.
- Renters need to contact their previous landlords to find out if they will be permitted to move back into their former units.
- Homeowners should follow-up with contractors on the progress of the repair/rebuilding work.
- FEMA housing occupants with no housing plans will be given information and tools to help them find available housing.
What occurs during the recertification process?
- Flyers will be given to the occupants or placed on their doors to inform them that the housing advisor is coming.
- The advisor will call to set up an appointment to meet with each applicant in the travel trailer or mobile home.
- Housing advisors carry FEMA identification.
- While they are there, they will check the condition of the unit. If repairs are necessary, a work order request may be submitted.
- Housing advisors will help each applicant develop a housing plan and direct them to resources in the community to help meet their needs.
- The advisors will follow-up regularly on the progress of applicants in carrying out their permanent housing plan.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 26-Apr-2006 14:04:32