Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3037
Sponsor: Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Introduced: 2021-05-07 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: 2021-05-07
text: 

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021

 
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.

action_date: 2022-12-20
text: 

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021

 
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: 2022-12-20
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 473.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Committee on the Budget discharged.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Committee on the Budget discharged.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 117-653, Part I.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 117-653, Part I.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged.
action_date: 2021-05-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2021-05-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.
action_date: 2021-05-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.
action_date: 2021-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-05-07
text: Introduced in House