Disaster Relief

FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Tennessee

FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Tennessee to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms from Feb. 11-19, 2021. Federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing…

FEMA: Public Comments Sought on Future Program Delivery Regarding Climate Change and Underserved Communities and Populations

FEMA is seeking public comments on how the agency’s programs deal with climate change and underserved communities and populations. Earlier this year, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. released three executive orders, 13985, 13990 and 14008, requiring agencies to assess existing programs and policies to determine the following: If agency programs and policies perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits…

HUD: Access to Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Funds Accelerated

Department removes onerous restrictions that limited island’s access to funds, obligates $8.2 billion in federal mitigation funding The Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the obligation of $8.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds for Puerto Rico, along with the removal of onerous restrictions unique to Puerto Rico that limited…

EDA: $3.3 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Production of PPE and Develop Related Training in Lowell, MA

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.3 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts, to continue the production of PPE and to develop related training and curriculum, creating new job and economic opportunities following the pandemic. “President…

FEMA: Processing of COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Applications Begins

Today, FEMA begins processing applications for funeral assistance, helping ease some of the financial stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The call center has received…

EDA: $2.7 Million Invested to Protect Commercial District Businesses from Flooding in Plymouth, NH

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to the town of Plymouth, New Hampshire, to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to protect businesses in the Downtown Commercial District from flooding. This EDA grant will be matched with $675,000 in local investment….

FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms, landslides and mudslides from Feb. 8-19, 2021. Federal funding is also available to the commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations…

FEMA: President Biden Announces Major Disaster Declaration for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to supplement the tribe’s efforts in the areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning on Jan. 20, 2020, and continuing. The President’s action makes federal funding available for crisis counseling for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Federal…

FEMA: Funeral Assistance for COVID-19 Related Deaths Available

In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide….

FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Louisiana

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms from Feb. 11-19, 2021. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia,…