Hurricane Relief

FEMA: $2.2 Billion in Federal Aid Approved for Puerto Rico Households and Businesses

With two weeks remaining before the deadline to register with FEMA, more than $2.2 billion in federal aid is helping fuel the recovery for households and businesses in Puerto Rico. More than 1.1 million Puerto Rico households and businesses have contacted FEMA for help and information. Survivors contact FEMA seeking help for various reasons such…

FEMA: Mitigation Grants Program Eclipsed $15 Billion in Helping Communities Rebuild, Recover and Avoid Future Losses

This year marks three decades since the Robert T. Stafford Act was amended to include funding for hazard mitigation; to date, FEMA has provided more than $15 billion in mitigation grants to support state, local, tribal and territorial efforts to rebuild their communities stronger and safer. A National Institute of Building Sciences report issued earlier…

FEMA: Transitional Sheltering Assistance for Florida Hurricane Irma Survivors Ends

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), which pays for hotel rooms as temporary, emergency housing for eligible Hurricane Irma survivors, ends March 10, 2018. Under TSA, disaster survivors may be eligible to stay in a participating hotel or motel for a limited period of time and have the cost of the room and taxes covered by FEMA….

FEMA: Six Months after Two Category 5 Hurricanes Struck, the U.S. Virgin Islands is Recovering

Roads have been cleared of debris. Electricity is flowing. Stores are open. Students are in school. Six months after hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, recovery is well underway, led by the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and local officials with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency…

FEMA: 5 Things You Need to Know about Floodwaters

Less than a year ago, flash floods caused millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. Many of these areas are experiencing flooding even now. As warmer spring months approach, the threat of floods from snow melt and heavy rainfall continues to increase for these communities. “Don’t…

HUD: FHA Extends Foreclosure Moratorium for Hurricane Maria Victims

Additional 60-day relief to help struggling FHA-insured families in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands WASHINGTON – For the second time since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced that the agency is extending its 180-day foreclosure moratorium for FHA-insured homeowners for an additional 60…

HUD: FHA Expands Foreclosure Relief for Victims of 2017 Disasters

New options offered to struggling homeowners impacted by hurricanes, wildfires and mudslides WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced expanded mortgage relief to FHA-insured homeowners who live or work in areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria as well as California wildfires and subsequent flooding and mudslides. FHA is instructing mortgage servicers…

SBA: Over $1 Billion in Disaster Loans Approved in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that more than $1 billion in low-interest disaster loans has been approved for 28,106 Puerto Rico residents and businesses recovering in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María which struck in September 2017. “Recovery for Puerto Rico has a long way to go.  The SBA is still on the…

FEMA: Progess. Partnerships. Preparedness. Six Months after Hurricane Harvey

Six months since Hurricane Harvey battered the Lone Star State, Texans in coastal towns, urban areas, and rural counties continue to move forward with their unprecedented recovery. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners are already repairing or rebuilding their hurricane damaged houses or have found new rental apartments or homes. Their recovery activity was fueled by…

FEMA: How to Create Permanent Housing Plans

FEMA Guidance on Moving Back Home Florida Hurricane Irma survivors who return home achieve a recovery milestone. They can reach this goal by creating a realistic permanent housing plan. Survivors who receive temporary FEMA housing assistance—hotel stays, rental assistance, travel trailers and FEMA-paid apartments—must routinely show they still need help and look for long-term options….