Housing Victims of Major Disasters Act of 2018

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 Victims of Major Disasters Act of 2018 2. Eligibility for and use of disaster housing assistance (a) Eligibility Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a family described in subsections (c) and (d) shall be eligible for housing assistance made available under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5174 (b) Use In the case of any housing assistance described in subsection (a) that is made available in connection with a major disaster declared pursuant to such Act, including Hurricane Maria of 2017, such assistance may be used on behalf of families described in subsection (c) for costs relating to obtaining title for such families to properties described in subsection (c)(1), which shall include costs of land surveys and any other taxes or fees associated with transfer of the property. (c) Eligibility With respect to a major disaster, a family described in this subsection is a family who— (1) is occupying an otherwise unused or un­in­hab­i­ted property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but who does not have documented ownership rights to, and is not renting the property; or (2) is renting a property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have a written lease for such rental. In making a determination of whether occupancy or a rental tenancy exists for purposes of paragraphs (1) or (2), the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (referred to in this Act as FEMA) shall consider a wide range of evidence that demonstrates the existence of such occupancy or tenancy set forth in subsection (d). (d) Alternative forms of proof (1) In general In determining if an individual or family is eligible for housing assistance under subsection (c), the Administrator shall consider a sworn and notarized affidavit written by a licensed attorney that affirms such occupancy or tenancy by the individual who owns, possesses, and maintains the house or land and the presentation of one of the following documents to affirm proof of ownership of the individual named in the affidavit: (A) A utility (gas, electric, or water) bill with the name and address of the individual. (B) A merchant’s statement (credit card, delivery notice, or first class mail) with the name and address of the individual. (C) A pay stub from an employer with the name and address of the individual. (D) A current driver’s license or State-issued identification card of the individual. (E) The deed or title for the home or land. (F) Mortgage payment booklet or other mortgage documents. (G) Property title of mobile home certificate of title. (H) Real estate property tax receipts. (I) School registration for self, child, or children. (J) Will and testament with the name and address. (K) Medical records that list the name and address of the individual. (L) Charitable donation receipts that list the name and address of the individual. (M) Government assistance documents. (N) Any other documentation, certification, identification, or proof of occupancy or ownership not included on this list, that can reasonably link the person requesting assistance to the damaged property. (O) If records are unavailable due to damage from the disaster or any other circumstance that impedes an individual from providing proof of ownership, the Administrator shall request verification from the State or Federal agency with the written permission of the individual or legally authorized representative of such individual. (2) Additional review The Administrator shall review again, any previous FEMA application submitted for housing assistance that was denied in 2017 or 2018. (3) Notification of employees Not later than 7 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide written notification and guidance to FEMA employees regarding the requirements set forth in this Act. 3. FEMA DHAP agreements (a) 2017 disasters Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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 to provide temporary rental assistance to families displaced from their residences by any major disaster declared during 2017 pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, including Hurricane Maria of 2017, including families eligible for such assistance under section 2(a) of this Act. (b) Future disasters In the case of any major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121

Summary: Housing Victims of Major Disasters Act of 2018 This bill makes a family eligible for housing assistance in connection with a major disaster, including Hurricane Maria of 2017, if it: (1) 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 (2) is renting a property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have a written lease for such rental. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall consider a wide range of evidence in determining the eligibility of a family for housing assistance. 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 families displaced by any major disaster during 2017, and shall consult on the implementation of the program for future disasters.