Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2019

To make available necessary disaster assistance for families affected by major disasters, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2019 2. Definitions In this Act, the terms Agency Administrator 3. Eligibility for and use of disaster assistance (a) Eligibility Notwithstanding any other provision of law, individuals and households described in subsection (c) shall be eligible for assistance made available under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5174 42 U.S.C. 5170 (b) Use In the case of any assistance described in subsection (a) that is made available in connection with a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 (c) Eligibility (1) In general With respect to a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 (A) is occupying an otherwise unused or uninhabited property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have documented ownership rights to and is not renting the property; or (B) is or was residing in an area for which the major disaster was declared, but does not have documentation to that effect, including— (i) an individual or household who is renting without a written or formal lease; (ii) unsheltered individuals or households experiencing homelessness; and (iii) an individual or household residing in any portion of any housing accommodation or property upon which a housing accommodation is located, including any living quarters, boardinghouse, bunkhouse, maintenance-of-way car, mobile home, manufactured home, or travel trailer. (2) Consideration In making a determination of eligibility for purposes of this Act, the Administrator shall consider a wide range of evidence. (d) Alternative forms of evidence In determining if an individual or household is eligible for assistance under this Act, the Administrator shall accept a declarative statement described in section 4 or the presentation of alternative evidence, including the following: (1) A utility (gas, electric, or water) bill with the name and address of the individual. (2) A merchant’s statement (credit card, delivery notice, or first class mail) with the name and address of the individual. (3) A pay stub from an employer with the name and address of the individual. (4) A current driver’s license or State-issued identification card of the individual. (5) The deed or title for the property. (6) A mortgage payment booklet or other mortgage documents. (7) Property title or mobile home certificate of title. (8) Real estate property tax receipts. (9) A school registration containing the address of self, child, or children. (10) A will and testament with the name and address of the individual. (11) Medical records that list the name and address of the individual. (12) Charitable donation receipts that list the name and address of the individual. (13) Any other documentation, certification, identification, or proof of occupancy or ownership not included on this list that can reasonably link the individual requesting assistance to the damaged property. 4. Declarative statement (a) Development of declarative statement (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall create and distribute where necessary a form declarative statement that an applicant for assistance under this Act may use to self-certify their eligibility for assistance under this Act. (2) Prohibition of notarization The Administrator may not require a declarative statement submitted under this Act to be notarized. (3) Evidence supporting declarative statements A declarative statement submitted under this Act shall not require evidence beyond the scope of section 3(d). (b) Exemptions A declarative statement submitted under this Act is exempted from publication notice, public comment periods, and agency information collection review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget required by chapter 35 Paperwork Reduction Act (c) Guidance Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide written notification and guidance to employees of the Agency regarding the requirements of this Act. (d) Publication Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— (1) make the form declarative statement created under paragraph (1) available in Spanish and English at all active Disaster Recovery Centers; and (2) publish in English, Spanish, and any other locally predominant languages on the website and social media of the Agency the form declarative statement created under paragraph (1) and instructions on how applicants can reopen or seek further appeal of relevant determinations. (e) Past disasters For applicants of assistance provided under this Act with respect to any major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 5. FEMA DHAP agreements (a) 2017 and 2018 disasters Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an interagency agreement or agreements with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as may be necessary to ensure the implementation of a Disaster Housing Assistance Program under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5174 42 U.S.C. 5170 (b) Future disasters In the case of any major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 42 U.S.C. 5174

Summary: Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2019 This bill makes certain individuals and households eligible for housing assistance in connection with a major disaster, including Hurricane Maria of 2017. To be eligible, an individual or household must be (1) occupying an otherwise unused or uninhabited property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have documented ownership rights to and is not renting the property, or (2) residing or have resided in an area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have documentary proof of residence. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall consider alternative forms of proof to determine the eligibility of an individual or household for assistance. FEMA shall (1) create and distribute a form declarative statement that applicants for assistance may use to self-certify their eligibility for assistance, and (2) make the statement available in specified languages at all active Disaster Recovery Centers and on its website and social media. FEMA shall enter into agreements with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to implement a disaster housing assistance program to provide temporary rental assistance to individuals and households displaced by any major disaster during 2017 and 2018, and shall engage in consultations regarding the implementation of such program for future disasters.