On the Home Front

Federal Response Executive On May 23, President Donald Trump increased disaster assistance funding to Puerto Rico. Federal funding for emergency power restoration was extended for 90 days, and Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) was extended for 120 days. President Trump also offered additional disaster assistance to the US Virgin Islands, which will allow projects Continue reading

Federal Response Congress Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced a bill on May 17 requiring FEMA to stand up the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) for survivors of Hurricanes Irma and Maria through February 2019.  Two days prior, FEMA had denied the Governor of Puerto Rico’s request to activate DHAP. The bill’s cosponsors include Senators Blumenthal Continue reading

CDBG-DR Action Plans The Texas General Land Office has released for public comment an amendment to the $57.8 million state action plan. The amendment reallocates $8 million to the Harris County Residential Buyout Program. HUD has already approved the overall action plan, but public comments on the amendment should be submitted by 5 PM CT Continue reading

CDBG-DR Action Plans The U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) released the territory’s CDBG-DR Action Plan on May 3, 2018. The public comment period is open until May 17. VIHFA is holding three open forum sessions: May 9 in St. John, May 10 in St. Croix, and May 16 in St. Thomas. The Plan Continue reading

Federal Response Congress The House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act (R. 4) on April 27 with a vote of 393 – 13. As previously noted, this bill includes the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, which contains several important provisions: authorizes states to administer housing assistance using federal funding; allows greater flexibility for housing following a disaster; Continue reading