Why is FEMAs temporary housing assistance ending?
Housing assistance under Section 408 of the Stafford Act is temporary by statute, regulation and design. To support the intent of the program and deliver the best possible customer service to eligible applicants, FEMA provides additional assistance to move individuals and families towards self sufficiency. The programs are designed with the expectation that applicants have a responsibility to take charge of their own recovery by utilizing temporary disaster assistance, either financial or direct, to repair, replace or locate alternate housing. FEMA’s temporary housing program for hurricanes Katrina and Rita, scheduled to end on May 1, 2009, reflects 26 months of rent-free assistance beyond the statutory 18-month limit of housing assistance. By law, FEMA’s temporary housing assistance program provides temporary housing assistance while individuals and households work toward fulfilling their permanent housing plans. FEMA has offered each household at least three rental resources that mee
