Legis Daily

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act

USA119th CongressHR-426| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
Adriano Espaillat

Adriano Espaillat

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (3)
Pablo Jose Hernández (Democratic)Young Kim (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, Budget Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to make federal disaster assistance more accessible to families affected by major disasters, particularly those who may lack traditional documentation of property ownership. It directs the President to consider an individual's or household's claim to constructive ownership of their predisaster primary residence if evidence supports it is "more likely than not." To establish this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator must consider a wide range of evidence, including deeds, mortgage documents, tax receipts, wills, insurance, and even receipts for major repairs. If traditional evidence is insufficient, individuals can provide a declarative statement, signed under penalty of perjury, without requiring notarization. The bill also amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to broaden eligibility and flexibility for housing assistance. It expands the scope of eligible properties by changing the criteria from "rendered uninhabitable" to those simply "damaged by a major disaster." Additionally, the legislation allows the President to provide certain types of housing assistance if determined to be a cost-effective alternative to other housing solutions and removes specific time constraints on a pilot program for grants, effectively making it an ongoing initiative.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2914
Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3037
Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5324
Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2914
    Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3037
    Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5324
    Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act


  • January 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 15, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Emergency Management

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act

USA119th CongressHR-426| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
This legislation aims to make federal disaster assistance more accessible to families affected by major disasters, particularly those who may lack traditional documentation of property ownership. It directs the President to consider an individual's or household's claim to constructive ownership of their predisaster primary residence if evidence supports it is "more likely than not." To establish this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator must consider a wide range of evidence, including deeds, mortgage documents, tax receipts, wills, insurance, and even receipts for major repairs. If traditional evidence is insufficient, individuals can provide a declarative statement, signed under penalty of perjury, without requiring notarization. The bill also amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to broaden eligibility and flexibility for housing assistance. It expands the scope of eligible properties by changing the criteria from "rendered uninhabitable" to those simply "damaged by a major disaster." Additionally, the legislation allows the President to provide certain types of housing assistance if determined to be a cost-effective alternative to other housing solutions and removes specific time constraints on a pilot program for grants, effectively making it an ongoing initiative.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2914
Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3037
Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5324
Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2914
    Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3037
    Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5324
    Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act


  • January 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 15, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Adriano Espaillat

Adriano Espaillat

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (3)
Pablo Jose Hernández (Democratic)Young Kim (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, Budget Committee

Emergency Management

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted