On the Home Front

General Updates A Resource for Engagement with State Action Plans.  The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) of more than 700 organizations provided a comprehensive set of policy recommendations that advocates can use with state governors to ensure that Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plans provide a fair and equitable recovery.  The recommendations Continue reading

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES FEMA October Wildfires By the Numbers: (as of 3/7) o    4,469 Individual Assistance (IA) applications approved* o    $15,460,632 Individual & Household Program (IHP) approved* o    $9,417,989 Housing Assistance (HA) approved* o    $6,042,643 Other Needs Assistance (ONA) approved* o    $210,474,340 Total Public Assistance Grants (PA) obligated** o    $208,830,257 Emergency Work (Categories A-B) obligated** o    Continue reading

General Updates Mortgage Relief Guide. The National Consumer Law Center released a resource guide for obtaining mortgage relief following a disaster. The guide provides an overview, some essential resources, and details for the various forms of relief available to survivors. HURRICANE MARIA HUD Foreclosure Moratorium Expanded. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced a 60-day extension Continue reading

General Updates Plagiarized Contract. Senators Claire McCakill (D-MO), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Gary Peters (D-MI) found that a company plagiarized their contract proposal with FEMA. FEMA ended their $156 million contract with Tribute Contracting, LLC after it failed to deliver sufficient emergency meals. FEMA has had several failed contracts during their response in Puerto Rico. Continue reading

HUD Updates HUD announced on February 22 that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) expanded mortgage relief for FHA-insured homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as well as the wildfires in California. FHA created a “Disaster Standalone Partial Claim” option designed to help those affected by the disasters and struggling to resume mortgage payment. HUD’s Office Continue reading