Disaster Housing Assistance Program Accountability Act

Bill: 115-hr-7385
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced: 2018-12-20
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Disaster relief and insurance

Government studies and investigations

Homelessness and emergency shelter

State and local government operations

User charges and fees
Latest action: action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-12-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Disaster Housing Assistance Program Accountability Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish at least three pilot programs to provide long-term rental-housing assistance and case-management services to families affected by a major disaster in either a U.S. territory in 2017 or a state in 2018.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7385 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 20, 2018 Ms. Titus (for herself and Ms. Plaskett ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To direct the President to establish pilot programs to provide long-term rental housing assistance and case management services after certain major disasters, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Disaster Housing Assistance Program Accountability Act . 2. Authorization of Disaster Housing Assistance pilot programs (a) In General Pursuant to the authority under, and meeting the requirements of, sections 408 and 426 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5174 , 5189d), the President, acting through the Administrator, shall establish at least 3 pilot programs, to be administered by an appropriate Federal agency, to provide for long-term rental housing assistance and case management services to eligible families affected by a covered disaster in a State. (b) Consultation In establishing a pilot program under this section, the Administrator shall consult with the Governor of the State in which the disaster occurred. (c) Limitation In establishing a pilot program under this section, the Administrator shall ensure that multiple pilot programs are not established in any 1 State. (d) Responsibilities The Administrator shall— (1) ensure that each pilot program established under subsection (a) assists eligible families with transitioning toward self-sufficiency through case management services provided in a cost-effective manner; and (2) determine whether the cost of each pilot program and the services provided under any such pilot program are competitive with other housing options provided by the Administrator. (e) Extent of Services The Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies with appropriate expertise, shall determine the extent of case management services required for an eligible family to obtain self-sufficiency. (f) Termination The Administrator may terminate each pilot program established under subsection (a) at any time the Administrator considers appropriate. (g) Interagency Agreement To carry out each pilot program, the Administrator and a relevant Federal agency shall enter into an interagency agreement that, at a minimum— (1) includes policies, procedures, and framework for— (A) program management; (B) financial management; and (C) oversight; (2) establishes requirements for cost and program effectiveness data to be maintained and reported to the Administrator on a regular basis; and (3) identifies the type and amount of administrative fees that will be charged under each pilot program. (h) Cost-Effectiveness of Program (1) Program comparison data The Federal agency implementing the pilot program established in subsection (a) shall provide the Administrator with such data as may be necessary for the Administrator to conduct a comparison between each pilot program established under subsection (a) and other temporary housing options provided by the Administrator under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (2) Case management data The Federal agency implementing the pilot program established in subsection (a) shall provide the Administrator with such data as may be necessary to determine the extent of case management services required and provided under each program and the effectiveness of such services in transitioning eligible families toward self-sufficiency. (3) Fees The Administrator shall ensure that— (A) the administrative fees of each pilot program are reasonable compared to the cost of temporary housing assistance provided to eligible families; (B) case management services fees are reasonable compared to the cost of the case management services provided to eligible families; and (C) administrative fees and case management services fees do not exceed the amounts provided under the Interagency Agreement executed on March 25, 2013, to implement Disaster Housing Assistance Program–Sandy. (i) Analysis and Report (1) Analysis After termination of a pilot program, the Administrator shall conduct an analysis comparing the costs, benefits, and effectiveness of each pilot program, including any case management services provided, with other temporary housing options provided by the Administrator under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (2) Report Not later than 180 days after the Administrator terminates a pilot program, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate a report that contains the analysis required under paragraph (1). 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2) Covered disaster The term covered disaster means 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) during 2017 in the territories of the United States; or (B) during 2018 in a State. (3) Eligible families The term eligible families means families that the Administrator determines are eligible for housing assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5174 ) and case management services under section 426 of such Act. (4) Families The term families has the meaning given such term in section 3(b)(3)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437a ). (5) Governor; State The terms Governor and State have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5122 ).