I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1297 
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act to provide assistance for housing cooperatives damaged by a major 
disaster, to provide relief to homeowners affected by major disasters 
who have mortgages insured by the FHA or owned or guaranteed by 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 4, 2015 
Mr. JEFFRIES introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act to provide assistance for housing 
cooperatives damaged by a major disaster, to provide 
relief to homeowners affected by major disasters who 
have mortgages insured by the FHA or owned or guaran-
teed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Disaster Response Re-
form Act of 2015’’. 
TITLE I—FEMA DISASTER AS-
SISTANCE 
TO 
INDIVIDUALS 
AND HOUSEHOLDS 
SEC. 101. HOUSING UNITS IN HOUSING COOPERATIVES. 
(a) HOUSING COOPERATIVE DEFINED.—Section 102 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(13) 
HOUSING
COOPERATIVE.—The 
term 
‘housing cooperative’ means a multi-unit housing 
project in which each dwelling unit is subject to sep-
arate use and possession by one or more cooperative 
members whose interest in such unit, and in any un-
divided assets of the cooperative association that are 
appurtenant to such unit, is evidenced by a member-
ship or share interest in a cooperative association 
and a lease or other document of title or possession 
granted by such cooperative as the owner of all coop-
erative property.’’. 
(b) MAJOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS 
AND HOUSEHOLDS.—Section 408(c) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
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(42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5) HOUSING COOPERATIVES.— 
‘‘(A) DAMAGED HOUSING UNITS.—In car-
rying out paragraphs (2) and (3), the President 
shall— 
‘‘(i) treat an owner-occupied housing 
unit of a housing cooperative in the same 
manner as an owner-occupied private resi-
dence; and 
‘‘(ii) provide financial assistance for 
owner-occupied housing units of housing 
cooperatives on a unit-by-unit basis. 
‘‘(B) ESSENTIAL LIVING ITEMS.— 
‘‘(i) ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AS-
SISTANCE.—The President may provide fi-
nancial assistance under paragraphs (2) 
and (3) in connection with essential living 
items that are owned by the association for 
a housing cooperative and located in an 
owner-occupied housing unit of the housing 
cooperative. 
‘‘(ii) PROCEDURES.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—The Presi-
dent shall establish procedures for 
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providing assistance under clause (i). 
The procedures shall ensure that es-
sential services in individual housing 
units of housing cooperatives are 
promptly restored following a major 
disaster and such units are returned 
to a safe and sanitary living or func-
tioning condition. 
‘‘(II) RECIPIENTS
OF
ASSIST-
ANCE.—Under such procedures, the 
President may provide financial as-
sistance directly to residents of owner- 
occupied housing units of a housing 
cooperative or to the association for 
the housing cooperative. 
‘‘(C) ESSENTIAL LIVING ITEM DEFINED.— 
In this paragraph, the term ‘essential living 
item’ means those items necessary to return a 
residence to a safe and sanitary living or func-
tioning condition.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (b) shall apply 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) after the date of enactment of this Act. 
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SEC. 102. PERSONAL PROPERTY IN BASEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408(c) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(6) PERSONAL PROPERTY IN BASEMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
FOR
DAM-
AGED PERSONAL PROPERTY.—In carrying out 
paragraphs (2) and (3), the President shall pro-
vide financial assistance in connection with per-
sonal property that is damaged in a major dis-
aster and is located in the basement of an 
owner-occupied private residence in the same 
manner and to the same extent as personal 
property that is damaged in a major disaster 
and is located in any other portion of the resi-
dence. 
‘‘(B) BASEMENT DEFINED.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘basement’ means an enclosed 
area of a dwelling where any portion of the ex-
terior wall or concrete floor is below grade.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply 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) after the date of enactment of this Act. 
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TITLE 
II—MORTGAGE 
RELIEF 
FOR HOMEOWNERS IN DIS-
ASTER AREAS 
SEC. 201. 90-DAY MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES. 
(a) 
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENT.—Each 
applicable 
agency head (as such term is defined in section 204) shall 
prohibit mortgagees and servicers under covered mort-
gages from initiating any foreclosure, whether judicial or 
nonjudicial, or taking any action in furtherance of a fore-
closure already commenced, including conducting any 
foreclosure sale, with respect to the covered mortgage dur-
ing the 90-day period that begins upon the Presidential 
declaration of the disaster referred to in section 
204(2)(A)(ii) with respect to such mortgage. 
(b) ADDITIONAL RELIEF.—Subsection (a) may not 
be construed to prevent or prohibit an applicable agency 
head from extending the period specified in such sub-
section or taking any other relief or forbearance action 
with respect to covered mortgages. 
SEC. 202. REQUIREMENT TO OFFER FORBEARANCE TO AF-
FECTED HOMEOWNERS. 
(a) NOTIFICATION.—Each applicable agency head 
shall require each mortgagee of a covered mortgage to no-
tify the mortgagor under the mortgage, in writing, not 
later than the expiration of the 45-day period that begins 
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upon the Presidential declaration of the disaster referred 
to in section 204(2)(A)(ii) with respect to such mortgage, 
and in such form as the applicable agency heads shall re-
quire pursuant to guidelines issued under section 205— 
(1) that the mortgage is a covered mortgage 
that may be eligible for forbearance relief under this 
section; 
(2) of the requirements for eligible homeowners 
to qualify for such relief; 
(3) of the terms of such relief; 
(4) of what action the mortgagor must take to 
request such relief; 
(5) that the mortgagor and the mortgagee can 
agree to terms of forbearance in lieu of or in addi-
tion to forbearance relief that may be required under 
this section to be offered to the mortgagor; and 
(6) how to contact the mortgagee regarding 
such additional or alternative relief. 
(b) REQUEST FOR RELIEF.—The applicable agency 
heads shall, by guidelines issued under section 205, pro-
vide for mortgagors under covered mortgages to submit 
requests, during the 90-day period beginning upon the ex-
piration of the notification period under subsection (a), to 
the mortgagees of such mortgages for forbearance relief 
under this section. 
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(c) DETERMINATION.—Upon receipt of a request 
made by a mortgagor under a covered mortgage for for-
bearance relief under this section that is submitted during 
the period referred to in subsection (b), the mortgagee 
shall promptly determine whether the mortgagor is an eli-
gible homeowner and immediately notify the mortgagor in 
writing of such determination. 
(d) REQUIREMENT TO OFFER FORBEARANCE.—If, 
pursuant to a request for relief submitted pursuant to sub-
section (b) with respect to a covered mortgage, the mort-
gagee for the mortgage determines that the mortgagor 
under the mortgage is an eligible homeowner, the mort-
gagee shall, together with the notification required under 
subsection (c) submit to the eligible homeowner— 
(1) a written offer for forbearance that meets 
the requirements of subsection (e); 
(2) an explanation of the terms of such offer 
and when such offer will expire; 
(3) an explanation of what action the mort-
gagor must take to accept such offer; 
(4) notification that the mortgagor and the 
mortgagee can agree to terms of forbearance in lieu 
of or in addition to forbearance relief required under 
this section to be offered to the mortgagor; and 
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(5) how to contact the mortgagee regarding 
such additional or alternative relief. 
(e) TERMS OF FORBEARANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—An offer for forbearance 
with respect to a covered mortgage meets the terms 
of this subsection only if— 
(A) the forbearance provides— 
(i) for the suspension of payments due 
under the mortgage for a period that— 
(I) has a duration that is not 
shorter than 6 months; and 
(II) begins after the declaration 
of the major disaster referred to in 
section 204(2)(A)(ii) but not later 
than 120 days after such declaration, 
and may cover periods for which pay-
ments due under the mortgage were 
not paid that occurred before the offer 
for relief under this section was ac-
cepted; and 
(ii) for recoupment of any arrearage 
of amounts due under the mortgage result-
ing from forbearance to by increasing the 
monthly payments due under the mortgage 
after the expiration of the forbearance pe-
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riod by an amount not exceeding 5 percent 
of the monthly amount that would other-
wise be due for such month under the 
original terms of the mortgage; and 
(B) the offer provides for forbearance and 
terms, requirements, and procedures for such 
forbearance that otherwise comply with guide-
lines issued by the Secretary and the Director 
pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection. 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF TERMS.—The applica-
ble agency heads shall, by guidelines issued pursuant 
to section 205, provide for the terms, requirements, 
and procedures for forbearance offered under this 
section. 
(f) OTHER FORBEARANCE.— 
(1) AGREEMENTS BETWEEN MORTGAGOR AND 
MORTGAGEE.—This section may not be construed to 
prevent an eligible homeowner and the mortgagee 
for the covered mortgage of such eligible homeowner 
from agreeing to any other forms or terms of for-
bearance, regardless of whether such eligible home-
owner makes a request under subsection (b) or re-
ceives an offer of forbearance pursuant to subsection 
(d). 
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(2) LIMITATIONS ON AGENCIES.—An applicable 
agency head may not establish— 
(A) any limitations or restrictions on the 
forms or terms of forbearance relief that a 
mortgagee may offer or agree to with respect to 
a covered mortgage, including the duration of 
the forbearance period, the duration of the pe-
riod for recoupment of arrearages resulting 
from forbearance, and the amount of principal 
forgiven; or 
(B) any requirement that a mortgagee ob-
tain approval of the agency head before the 
mortgagee may offer or agree to any particular 
forms or terms of forbearance relief with re-
spect to a covered mortgage. 
SEC. 203. ENFORCEMENT. 
(a) FHA.—The Secretary and the Mortgagee Review 
Board shall enforce compliance by mortgagees with this 
title and the guidelines issued to carry out this title under 
section 202(c) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1708(c)). 
(b) FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC.—If the Direc-
tor determines, on the record after an opportunity for an 
agency hearing, that a mortgagee has violated this title 
or the guidelines issued to carry out this title, the Director 
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shall prohibit the Federal National Mortgage Association 
and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation from 
purchasing, acquiring, newly lending on the security of, 
newly investing in securities consisting of, or otherwise 
newly dealing in any mortgage of or originated by such 
mortgagee for a period of 12 months. 
SEC. 204. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this title, the following definitions 
shall apply: 
(1) APPLICABLE
AGENCY
HEAD.—The term 
‘‘applicable agency head’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary, with respect to a cov-
ered mortgage described in paragraph (2)(B)(i); 
and 
(B) the Director, with respect to a covered 
mortgage described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii). 
(2) COVERED MORTGAGE.—The term ‘‘covered 
mortgage’’ means a mortgage— 
(A) that is secured by a one- to four-family 
dwelling that— 
(i) is the principal residence of the 
mortgagor; and 
(ii) is located within an area for which 
a major disaster was declared pursuant to 
section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
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aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5170); and 
(B) that is— 
(i) insured under title II of the Na-
tional Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et 
seq.); or 
(ii) owned or guaranteed by the Fed-
eral National Mortgage Association or the 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corpora-
tion. 
(3) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agen-
cy. 
(4) ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNER.—The term ‘‘eligi-
ble homeowner’’ means a mortgagor under a covered 
mortgage whose— 
(A) household experienced a disruption in 
income as a result of the major disaster re-
ferred to in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), as determined 
in accordance with guidelines issued pursuant 
to section 205; or 
(B) residence that secures the mortgage 
was damaged as a result of the major disaster 
referred to in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), as deter-
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mined in accordance with guidelines issued pur-
suant to section 205. 
(5) 
MORTGAGEE.—The 
term 
‘‘mortgagee’’ 
means, with respect to a covered mortgage, the 
original lender under the mortgage and any affili-
ates, agents, subsidiaries, successors, or assignees of 
such lender, any subsequent purchaser, trustee, or 
transferee of the mortgage or credit instrument 
issued by such lender. 
(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 
SEC. 205. GUIDELINES. 
Not later than the expiration of the 30-day period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary and the Director shall jointly issue regulations 
to carry out this title. 
Æ 
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