FEMA Supports Midwest States In Establishment Of Joint Housing Solutions Task Forces
Release Date: June 16, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-107
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed housing experts to assist several Midwest states in establishing state-led housing solutions task forces. These task forces, introduced in the 2008 Disaster Housing Plan, are an innovative approach to meeting the housing needs of disaster victims. Each state-led task force will be comprised of federal, tribal, state and local government representatives, voluntary agencies, disability advocates and other groups identified by the state to design and implement an event-specific, comprehensive housing plan that is appropriate to the disaster and the affected population.
The task forces will consider a variety of factors to smoothly transition disaster victims from shelters into permanent housing by evaluating housing requirements, identifying potential solutions, and developing a coordinated plan for delivering necessary assistance in a timely and cost-effective manner. "The state-led Joint Housing Solutions Task Forces are a valuable asset that bring together all groups that have a role in helping disaster victims return to a state of self-sufficiency quickly", said Assistant Administrator Carlos J. Castillo. FEMA's approach is to provide safe, flexible interim housing assistance that can be adjusted to the range of requirements the state needs to fulfill its housing mission.
A National Housing Solutions Task Force is also being activated at FEMA Headquarters. This task force will consist of senior-level housing leadership from federal and non-governmental agencies with a mission to support state task force requirements needed to achieve a successful delivery of assistance. FEMA has named Individual Assistance Director Berl Jones to lead the National Housing Solutions Task Force. Jones has more than 25 years experience in emergency management and has worked numerous presidential disaster declarations, including hurricanes Hugo, Andrew, Marilyn, Katrina and Rita, September 11 terrorist attacks and the Midwest Floods of 1993.
In addition, Housing Mission Planning Teams (MPT) have been deployed to support the states of Iowa and Indiana in the assessment and analysis of anticipated housing requirements and defining the technical approach to meet these requirements. Each team is comprised of FEMA staff from Individual Assistance housing operations, technical assistance, the Joint Housing Solutions Group, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. FEMA has also deployed a senior Individual Assistance manager to provide support to joint field offices in the mid-west as they implement their state housing solutions task forces.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 16-Jun-2008 16:51:52