Nearly 2,000 families displaced after the 2017 disasters will be evicted tomorrow, June 30, when FEMA ends its hotel/motel Transitional Assistance Shelter (TSA) program, while refusing to activate longer-term housing solutions like the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP). As a result, these survivors will join thousands more whose housing needs have been neglected by FEMA. Many of them will have no choice but to double or triple up with other families, sleep in cars, return to uninhabitable homes, or pay half of their income on rent. In worst cases, families may be pushed into homelessness.
See NLHC’s Press Release here: http://nlihc.org/press/releases/10920
Call your members of Congress and urge them cosponsor legislation to ensure that no one displaced from the 2017 disasters faces the risk of homelessness:
- S. 2996 and H.R. 5474, “The Housing Victims of Major Disasters Act,” introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY).
- S. 2880, “The Disaster Housing Assistance Act,” introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL).
Background
Thousands of disaster survivors impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are still without stable, affordable homes. Despite requests for DHAP by the governor of Puerto Rico, dozens of members of Congress, impacted individuals, and homelessness and housing advocates, FEMA refuses to let survivors use this program.
DHAP provides survivors with direct housing assistance and allows them to receive help from local housing professionals to find permanent housing solutions, secure employment, and connect to public benefits as they rebuild their lives.
The Housing Victims of Major Disasters Act (S. 2996 and H.R. 5474) and the Disaster Housing Assistance Act (S. 2880) would make DHAP immediately available for 2017 disaster victims and would direct FEMA to consult with HUD about DHAP for future disasters.
Take Action
Please call your members of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor the Housing Victims of Major Disasters Act (S. 2996 and H.R. 5474) and the Disaster Housing Assistance Act (S. 2880).
