Today, Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) introduced the Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021, identical to that introduced by him and others during the last Congress, along with Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), John Garamendi (CA-03), Lee Zeldin (NY-1), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), and Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02).
Under current law, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inconsistently interprets regulations in a way that prohibits homeowners’ associations from qualifying for federal disaster response and recovery programs. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation will ensure that housing cooperatives, condominiums, and other homeowners’ associations are eligible for the same FEMA assistance available to other homeowners.
The bill accomplishes this by making two key changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act:
- Makes essential common elements of a homeowners’ association (such as a roof, exterior wall, heating and cooling equipment, elevator, stairwell, utility access, plumbing, and electricity) eligible under FEMA’s Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program;
- Makes homeowners’ associations eligible under FEMA’s requirements for the removal of debris in the aftermath of a major disaster.
“North Carolinians know too well that natural disasters do not discriminate among neighborhoods or housing. Yet under FEMA’s current eligibility rules, condos, co-ops, and homeowners’ associations don’t have the same access to FEMA Individual Assistance as single-family homeowners. I’m proud to re-introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure all citizens and communities affected by disasters can receive the same access to federal disaster assistance other homeowners receive,” said Congressman Rouzer.
“In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, thousands of New Yorkers and other Americans were shocked to learn that FEMA's eligibility rules left them with no way of restoring their homes simply because they shared walls and floors with neighbors and lived in a homeowners’ association," said Congressman Nadler. "Some housing cooperatives in New York City were left without working utilities for months after the storm. Since that time, homeowners’ associations across the country have faced similar hardships. This inequity must be corrected. A natural disaster doesn't care what type of home you live in, and FEMA should treat all homeowners fairly when helping them rebuild. I am proud to join Representative’s Rouzer, Garamendi, Zeldin, Wasserman Schultz, Mace, Ruiz, and Garbarino in re-introducing this important bill, which will ensure that all Americans, regardless of the form of housing, have the right to benefit from the agency's response, recovery, and mitigation resources."
“Californians are far too familiar with the impacts that natural disasters can inflict on a community. The federal government should do everything in its power to support every American impacted by natural disasters. Sadly, that’s not the case for the millions of Americans who live in common interest communities. Disasters won’t discriminate against the communities they impact, and the federal government shouldn’t when it distributes aid. I’m a proud co-sponsor of Congressman Nadler’s ‘Disaster Assistance Equity Act’ because it will right this wrong and ensure common interest communities are entitled to the same FEMA assistance as other homeowners,” said Congressman Garamendi.
“Nearly 10 years ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated New York’s coastal communities and businesses, and so many New Yorkers learned the hard way that FEMA was unable to help everyone it should have. We are seeing this issue arise again as the remnants of Hurricane Ida have caused flooding and severe damage to homes and property in New York. Condos, co-ops, and homeowner’s associations don’t have the same access to federal disaster assistance as single-family homeowners, which makes it difficult for many New Yorkers to rebuild their homes and lives. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make necessary reforms to ensure all New Yorkers are able to recover post-natural disaster,” said Congressman Zeldin.
My home state sits in Hurricane Alley, and it is essential that FEMA treats all homeowners there and across the nation equally when it comes to restoring communities and picking up the pieces from the aftermath of an extreme storm,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “The coasts and all of Florida abounds with common interest communities, and anyone living in a condominium must have access to the same assistance that other homeowners are eligible to receive.”
“As a lifelong Lowcountry resident, I know hurricanes, tropical storms, and natural disasters do not discriminate,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. “No matter the community or background, FEMA should respond equally with federal disaster assistance to all communities impacted. This is a great example of real bipartisan cooperation on common-sense legislation to ensure equitable disaster response for our communities in the Lowcountry and beyond.”
“Long Islanders know all too well the devastation natural disasters can leave in their wake. Residents of condominiums and cooperatives should not be denied FEMA assistance simply because they do not live in a single-family home. This legislation will ensure FEMA Individual Assistance is available to everyone who is impacted by a disaster, regardless of homeownership status,” said Congressman Garbarino.
