 |
 |
| 97.048 DISASTER HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS IN PRESIDENTIAL DECLARED DISASTER AREAS |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended by Public Law 106-390. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct assistance to individuals and households affected as a direct result of a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, who have uninsured or under-insured, necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Restricted to Presidential-declared disasters or emergencies, such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or flood, etc. Program activates only after issuance of a presidential declaration. Housing Assistance, either Financial or Direct, may be provided for the following: (1) Temporary Housing, (2) Home Repair, (3) Home Replacement and (4) Permanent Housing Construction. Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned. Other Needs Assistance may be provided for: (1) Medical, (2) Dental, (3) Funeral, (4) Personal Property, (5) Transportation, and (6) Other Miscellaneous Expenses. Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned. If the State is providing for other needs under Section 408(f) of the Stafford Act, please refer to CFDA 97.050. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Individuals and households, in areas declared an emergency or major disaster by the President, whose primary residence has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance, are eligible to apply for this program. All needs must be caused by the disaster. The individual or a member of the household must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. Housing Assistance: 1) Temporary Housing Assistance - proof of primary residence; disaster caused displacement, and/or paid receipts for Rent or Lodging Expenses; 2) Repair - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; disaster related home damage; 3) Replacement - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; home destroyed by the disaster; 4) Permanent Housing Construction - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; disaster related home damage, home is located in an insular area outside the continental United States or in other remote locations. Alternative housing resources are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective. Other Needs Assistance: 1)Medical-disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for medical treatment; 2) Dental-disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for treatment; 3) Funeral - disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for services; 4) Personal Property proof of ownership; disaster related personal property damage; 5)Transportation, proof of ownership; vehicle complies with State laws, disaster caused vehicle damage; 6) Other Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs Identified, the expense or need must be caused by the disaster and approved by FEMA. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Individual/Family; Homeowner (located within an area which has been designated as a disaster area, by Presidential declaration). |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations at 44 CFR Part 206.110-120. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| Based on damage assessments and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery, the State Governor makes a request (through the FEMA regional Director) for a Presidential Declaration for an emergency or major disaster. Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206, except as provided in Part 206.24(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily Federal responsibility. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Program. If the State has selected the program for Review, an applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance. Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206, except as provided in Part 206.24(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily Federal responsibility. |
| Application Procedure |
| A Presidential Disaster or Emergency Declaration must be issued, before individuals and households can register an application for assistance with FEMA via a toll-free number or FEMA's Internet Application or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. Applications will not be accepted from individuals residing outside of the area declared as a disaster. |
| Award Procedure |
| Funds are allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund for use in a designated emergency or major disaster. Households receive assistance directly from FEMA or through disaster aid programs of other participating federal or state agencies. |
| Deadlines |
| Generally, individual and household applications for disaster assistance must be filed within 60 days of the disaster declaration. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Varies, in general 7-21 days. |
| Appeals |
| Appeals of program decisions must be submitted in writing within 60 days of the date of the notification letter. |
| Renewals |
| None. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| Housing - not applicable. Other Needs - FEMA or the State may administer the Other Needs Assistance Program. State provides 25 percent of the funds for the total number of grants disbursed for the designated disaster. Federal Government provides the remaining 75 percent of the costs for grant awards as well as the regulations, policies, and procedures that govern the program. States may also receive up to 5 percent of the Federal share of the program for administrative costs. The Governor may request a loan of the State's 25 percent share. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Generally, one time grant assistance with a total assistance period not exceeding 18 months. |
| Reports |
| None. |
| Audits |
| Internal program audits are conducted. |
| Records |
| Expenditure records (receipts) and related documents must be retained by the recipient for 3 years from the date of payment. |
| Account Identification |
| 70-0702-0-1-453. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $189,366,831; FY 08 est not available; FY 09 est not available. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| For FY 07, assistance ranged from $50.00 - $28,200. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| In previous fiscal years, this program provided assistance to individuals and households affected by disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or flooding etc. For example, approximately 1.3 million households were approved for assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Federal Emergency Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206.110-120. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane, Bldg. #410, Washington, DC 20528. |
| Web Site Address |
| www.FEMA.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 97.050, Presidential Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households - Other Needs; 97.049, Presidential Declared Disaster Assistance - Disaster Housing Operations for Individuals and Households. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| None. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| None. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
|