In general
Provision of assistance
In accordance with this section, the President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance, and, if necessary, direct services, to individuals and households in the State who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs in cases in which the individuals and households are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means.
Relationship to other assistance
Under paragraph (1), an individual or household shall not be denied assistance under paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of subsection (c) solely on the basis that the individual or household has not applied for or received any loan or other financial assistance from the Small Business Administration or any other Federal agency.
Housing assistance
Eligibility
The President may provide financial or other assistance under this section to individuals and households to respond to the disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households who are displaced from their predisaster primary residences or whose predisaster primary residences are rendered uninhabitable, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable, as a result of damage caused by a major disaster.
Determination of appropriate types of assistance
In general
The President shall determine appropriate types of housing assistance to be provided under this section to individuals and households described in subsection (a)(1) based on considerations of cost effectiveness, convenience to the individuals and households, and such other factors as the President may consider appropriate.
Multiple types of assistance
One or more types of housing assistance may be made available under this section, based on the suitability and availability of the types of assistance, to meet the needs of individuals and households in the particular disaster situation.
Types of housing assistance
Temporary housing
Financial assistance
In general
The President may provide financial assistance to individuals or households to rent alternate housing accommodations, existing rental units, manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, or other readily fabricated dwellings. Such assistance may include the payment of the cost of utilities, excluding telephone service.
Amount
The amount of assistance under clause (i) shall be based on the fair market rent for the accommodation provided plus the cost of any transportation, utility hookups, security deposits, or unit installation not provided directly by the President.
Direct assistance
In general
The President may provide temporary housing units, acquired by purchase or lease, directly to individuals or households who, because of a lack of available housing resources, would be unable to make use of the assistance provided under subparagraph (A).
Lease and repair of rental units for temporary housing
In general
Improvements or repairs
Under the terms of any lease agreement for property entered into under this subsection, the value of the improvements or repairs shall be deducted from the value of the lease agreement.
Period of assistance
The President may not provide direct assistance under clause (i) with respect to a major disaster after the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the declaration of the major disaster by the President, except that the President may extend that period if the President determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an extension would be in the public interest.
Collection of rental charges
After the end of the 18-month period referred to in clause (iii), the President may charge fair market rent for each temporary housing unit provided.
Repairs
In general
Relationship to other assistance
A recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the assistance can be met through other means, except insurance proceeds.
Replacement
In general
The President may provide financial assistance for the replacement of owner-occupied private residences damaged by a major disaster.
Applicability of flood insurance requirement
With respect to assistance provided under this paragraph, the President may not waive any provision of Federal law requiring the purchase of flood insurance as a condition of the receipt of Federal disaster assistance.
Permanent housing construction
Terms and conditions relating to housing assistance
Sites
In general
Sites provided by the President
A readily fabricated dwelling may be located on a site provided by the President if the President determines that such a site would be more economical or accessible.
Disposal of units
Sale to occupants
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a temporary housing unit purchased under this section by the President for the purpose of housing disaster victims may be sold directly to the individual or household who is occupying the unit if the individual or household lacks permanent housing.
Sale price
A sale of a temporary housing unit under clause (i) shall be at a price that is fair and equitable.
Deposit of proceeds
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the proceeds of a sale under clause (i) shall be deposited in the appropriate Disaster Relief Fund account.
Hazard and flood insurance
A sale of a temporary housing unit under clause (i) shall be made on the condition that the individual or household purchasing the housing unit agrees to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance on the housing unit.
Use of GSA services
The President may use the services of the General Services Administration to accomplish a sale under clause (i).
Other methods of disposal
Financial assistance to address other needs
Medical, dental, child care, and funeral expenses
The President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance under this section to an individual or household in the State who is adversely affected by a major disaster to meet disaster-related medical, dental, child care, and funeral expenses.
Personal property, transportation, and other expenses
The President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance under this section to an individual or household described in paragraph (1) to address personal property, transportation, and other necessary expenses or serious needs resulting from the major disaster.
State role
State- or Indian tribal government-administered assistance and other needs assistance
Grant to State
Subject to subsection (g), a Governor may request a grant from the President to provide assistance to individuals and households in the State under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e) if the President and the State or Indian tribal government comply, as determined by the Administrator, with paragraph (3).
Administrative costs
A State that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) may expend not more than 5 percent of the amount of the grant for the administrative costs of providing assistance to individuals and households in the State under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e).
Access to records
In providing assistance to individuals and households under this section, the President shall provide for the substantial and ongoing involvement of the States in which the individuals and households are located, including by providing to the States access to the electronic records of individuals and households receiving assistance under this section in order for the States to make available any additional State and local assistance to the individuals and households.
Requirements
Application
A State or Indian tribal government desiring to provide assistance under subsection (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), or (e) shall submit to the President an application for a grant to provide financial assistance under the program.
Criteria
Requirement of housing strategy
In general
A State or Indian tribal government submitting an application under this paragraph shall have an approved housing strategy, which shall be developed and submitted to the President for approval.
Requirements
Quality assurance
Before approving an application submitted under this section, the President, or the designee of the President, shall institute adequate policies, procedures, and internal controls to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and program mismanagement for this program and for programs under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e). The President shall monitor and conduct quality assurance activities on a State or Indian tribal government’s implementation of programs under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e). If, after approving an application of a State or Indian tribal government submitted under this paragraph, the President determines that the State or Indian tribal government is not administering the program established by this section in a manner satisfactory to the President, the President shall withdraw the approval.
Audits
The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall provide for periodic audits of the programs administered by States and Indian tribal governments under this subsection.
Applicable laws
All Federal laws applicable to the management, administration, or contracting of the programs by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under this section shall be applicable to the management, administration, or contracting by a non-Federal entity under this section.
Report on effectiveness
Report on incentives
Not later than 12 months after , the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on a potential incentive structure for awards made under this section to encourage participation by eligible States and Indian tribal governments. In developing this report, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall consult with State, local, and Indian tribal entities to gain their input on any such incentive structure to encourage participation and shall include this information in the report. This report should address, among other options, potential adjustments to the cost-share requirement and management costs to State and Indian tribal governments.
Prohibition
The President may not condition the provision of Federal assistance under this chapter on a State or Indian tribal government requesting a grant under this section.
Miscellaneous
Notice and comment
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may waive notice and comment rulemaking with respect to rules to carry out this section, if the Administrator determines doing so is necessary to expeditiously implement this section, and may carry out this section as a pilot program until such regulations are promulgated.
Final rule
Not later than 2 years after , the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue final regulations to implement this subsection as amended by the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018.
Waiver and expiration
The authority under clause (i) and any pilot program implemented pursuant to such clause shall expire 2 years after , or upon issuance of final regulations pursuant to clause (ii), whichever occurs sooner.
Cost sharing
Federal share
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share of the costs eligible to be paid using assistance provided under this section shall be 100 percent.
Financial assistance to address other needs
Maximum amount of assistance
In general
No individual or household shall receive financial assistance greater than $25,000 under this section with respect to a single major disaster, excluding financial assistance to rent alternate housing accommodations under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) and financial assistance to address other needs under subsection (e).
Other needs assistance
The maximum financial assistance any individual or household may receive under subsection (e) shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in paragraph (1) with respect to a single major disaster.
Adjustment of limit
The limit established under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.
Exclusion of necessary expenses for individuals with disabilities
In general
The maximum amount of assistance established under paragraph (1) shall exclude expenses to repair or replace damaged accessibility-related improvements under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c) for individuals with disabilities.
Other needs assistance
The maximum amount of assistance established under paragraph (2) shall exclude expenses to repair or replace accessibility-related personal property under subsection (e)(2) for individuals with disabilities.
Verification measures
Rules and regulations
The President shall prescribe rules and regulations to carry out this section, including criteria, standards, and procedures for determining eligibility for assistance.
Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 408Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 106(d)102 Stat. 4702Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(a)114 Stat. 1566Pub. L. 109–295, title VI120 Stat. 1447–1449Pub. L. 113–2, div. B127 Stat. 42Pub. L. 115–254, div. D132 Stat. 3445(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , §§ 685, 686, 689(c), 689d, 696(c), , , 1452, 1461; , §§ 1103, 1108(a), , , 47; , §§ 1211(a), 1212, 1213(a), (b), , , 3448.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 93–28888 Stat. 143section 5121 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(3)(I), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 115–254132 Stat. 3438section 5121 of this titleThe Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, referred to in subsec. (f)(3)(J)(ii), is div. D of , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2018 Amendment note set out under and Tables.
Prior Provisions
Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 40488 Stat. 154Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(d)A prior section 5174, , , , related to temporary housing assistance, prior to repeal by .
section 408 of Pub. L. 93–288section 5178 of this titlesection 5178 of this titlePub. L. 100–707A prior was classified to and to a note set out under prior to repeal by .
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1213(b)2018—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(aa). , amended item (aa) generally. Prior to amendment, item (aa) read as follows: “enter into lease agreements with owners of multifamily rental property located in areas covered by a major disaster declaration to house individuals and households eligible for assistance under this section; and”.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1213(a)Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii)(II). , amended subcl. (II) generally. Prior to amendment, subcl. (II) related to improvements or repairs.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(1)(A)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “State- or Indian tribal government-administered assistance and other needs assistance” for “Financial assistance to address other needs” in heading.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (f)(1)(A). , struck out “financial” before “assistance” and substituted “subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e) if the President and the State or Indian tribal government comply, as determined by the Administrator, with paragraph (3)” for “subsection (e)”.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (f)(1)(B). , struck out “financial” before “assistance” and substituted “subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e)” for “subsection (e)”.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(2)Subsec. (f)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1212(1)Subsec. (h)(1). , inserted “, excluding financial assistance to rent alternate housing accommodations under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) and financial assistance to address other needs under subsection (e)” after “disaster”.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1212(2)Subsec. (h)(2), (3). –(4), added par. (2), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and, in par. (3), substituted “paragraphs (1) and (2)” for “paragraph (1)”.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1212(5)Subsec. (h)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 113–2, § 11032013—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii) to (iv). , added cl. (ii), redesignated former cls. (ii) and (iii) as (iii) and (iv), respectively, and, in cl. (iv), substituted “clause (iii)” for “clause (ii)”.
Pub. L. 113–2, § 1108(a)Subsec. (e)(1). , inserted “child care,” after “dental,” in heading and text.
Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(c)(1)2006—Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable,” after “uninhabitable”.
Pub. L. 109–295, § 689d(1)Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i). , inserted at end “Such assistance may include the payment of the cost of utilities, excluding telephone service.”
Pub. L. 109–295, § 689d(2)Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii). , inserted “security deposits,” after “hookups,”.
Pub. L. 109–295, § 686(1)Subsec. (c)(2)(C). , struck out subpar. (C) which read as follows: “The amount of assistance provided to a household under this paragraph shall not exceed $5,000, as adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.”
Pub. L. 109–295, § 686(2)Subsec. (c)(3)(B), (C). , redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: “The amount of assistance provided to a household under this paragraph shall not exceed $10,000, as adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.”
Pub. L. 109–295, § 685Subsec. (c)(4). , in introductory provisions, inserted “or semi-permanent” after “permanent” and struck out “remote” before “locations”.
Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(c)(2)Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(ii), (iii). , added cl. (ii) and redesignated former cl. (ii) as (iii).
Pub. L. 109–295, § 696(c)Subsecs. (i), (j). , added subsec. (i) and redesignated former subsec. (i) as (j).
Pub. L. 106–3902000– amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text provided for temporary housing assistance through provision of temporary housing, temporary mortgage and rental payment assistance, expenditures to repair or restore owner-occupied private residential structures made uninhabitable by a major disaster which are capable of being restored quickly, and transfer of temporary housing to occupants or to States, local governments, and voluntary organizations, required notification to applicants for assistance, and set out location factors to be given consideration in the provision of assistance.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–254Pub. L. 115–254section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254section 5121 of this titleAmendment by applicable to each major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after , and authorities provided under div. D of applicable to each major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(d)114 Stat. 1571
Funeral Assistance
Pub. L. 117–2, title IV, § 4006135 Stat. 79
In General .—
Use of Funds .—
Lost Wages Assistance Recoupment Fairness
Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, § 262134 Stat. 1962
Definitions .—
Waiver Authority for State Liability .—
Waiver Authority for Federal Liability .—
Reporting.—
State reporting .—
OIG reporting .—
Reimbursement
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1211(b)132 Stat. 3447
section 1211(b) of Pub. L. 115–254section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254section 5122 of this title[For definition of “State” as used in , set out above, see , set out as a note under .]