[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 135 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34587-34588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16769]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2008-0009]


National Disaster Housing Strategy

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice of the availability of the final 
National Disaster Housing Strategy (NDHS) which finalizes the draft 
version of the NDHS which the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA) published for public comment in July 2008. The NDHS is intended 
to serve two purposes. It describes how we as a Nation currently 
provide housing to those affected by disasters, and it charts the new 
direction that our disaster housing efforts must take if we are to 
better meet the emergent needs of disaster victims and communities.

DATES: The NDHS is effective January 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The NDHS is available online at http://www.regulations.gov 
and on FEMA's Web site at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=47305. The draft and final NDHS, all related 
Federal Register Notices, and all public comments received during the 
comment period are available at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket 
ID FEMA-2008-0009. You may also view a hard copy of the NDHS at the 
Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Room 835, 
500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Schuback, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, (215) 931-
5624.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NDHS serves as a guide to how the Nation

[[Page 34588]]

currently provides housing after a disaster, and sets a course for 
improving the methods in which we can provide housing to meet the 
emergent needs of disaster victims and communities. As requested by 
Congress in Section 683 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform 
Act of 2006, Public Law 109-295, the NDHS is intended to begin a long-
term effort to build on current strengths and encourage all involved to 
work collaboratively and seek innovative housing solutions. It intends 
to establish a strong foundation based on clear roles and 
responsibilities, key principles to guide national efforts, a joint 
planning process to build baseline capabilities, and additional 
resources to better prepare for an impending or emergent event.
    The NDHS promotes a national housing effort that engages all levels 
of government and the private sector to collectively meet the urgent 
housing needs of disaster victims and to enable individuals, households 
and communities to rebuild and restore their way of life following a 
disaster. A key concept introduced in the NDHS is the National Disaster 
Housing Task Force to bring together experts and policymakers whose 
efforts would be dedicated exclusively to the disaster housing issue. 
The NDHS draws on best practices and lessons learned over the years to 
identify actions that can be taken to improve disaster housing 
assistance. This effort began with realigning roles and 
responsibilities, renewing our focus on planning, building baseline 
capabilities, and providing a broader range of flexible disaster 
housing options. The NDHS outlines a vision, supported by specific 
goals, that will point the Nation in a new direction to meet the 
disaster housing needs of individuals and communities going forward.
    FEMA received numerous comments on the draft NDHS, which FEMA 
published for public comment in July 2008. The final version reflects 
many changes made as a result of those comments.

    Authority:  6 U.S.C. 772; 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207.

Robert Farmer,
Acting Director, Office of Policy & Program Analysis, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency.
[FR Doc. E9-16769 Filed 7-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-23-P