Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-2914
Sponsor: Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Introduced: 2019-05-22 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Evidence and witnesses
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Intergovernmental relations
Natural disasters
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: 

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 statement that applicants for assistance can 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.

action_date: 2020-11-16
text: 

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020

 
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) residing on property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have documented ownership rights to and is not renting such property, or (2) residing or have resided in an area for which the major disaster was declared during the designated incident period. 
 
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 create and distribute a declarative form statement that applicants for assistance can use to self-certify eligibility for assistance and make the statement available in specified languages at all active Disaster Recovery Centers and on its website and social media.
 
FEMA may provide certain financial assistance for repairs to ensure that residences are habitable during longer term recovery and for permanent housing construction upon determining that such assistance is a cost effective alternative to other housing solutions.
 
FEMA shall conduct an analysis comparing the costs, benefits, and effectiveness of assistance provided under the Disaster Housing Assistance Program, including any case management services provided, with other temporary housing options provided by it.

action_date: 2020-11-17
text: 

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020

 
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) residing on property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have documented ownership rights to and is not renting such property, or (2) residing or have resided in an area for which the major disaster was declared during the designated incident period. 
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must consider alternative forms of proof to determine the eligibility of an individual or household for assistance.
 
FEMA shall create and distribute a declarative form statement that applicants for assistance can use to self-certify eligibility for assistance and shall make the statement available in specified languages at all active Disaster Recovery Centers and on its website and social media.
 
FEMA may provide financial assistance for repairs to ensure that residences are habitable during longer-term recovery and for permanent housing construction if the President determines that such assistance is a cost effective alternative to other housing solutions.
 
FEMA shall conduct an analysis comparing the costs, benefits, and effectiveness of assistance provided under the Disaster Housing Assistance Program, including any case management services provided, with other temporary housing options provided by FEMA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5859-5860)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5859-5860)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2914.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5859-5862)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 472.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-574.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-574.
action_date: 2020-02-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2020-02-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-02-26
text: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Introduced in House