WASHINGTON, D.C.— Recently, Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) and Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12) reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act, to provide residential communities with more comprehensive assistance after disasters.
Under current law, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations can prevent homeowner associations from qualifying for federal disaster response and recovery programs for shared elements of homes and communities. The legislation will ensure individuals in housing cooperatives, condominiums, and other homeowner associations are eligible to receive assistance to cover these costs.
“Last year’s hurricane season reminded us natural disasters do not discriminate among neighborhoods, location, or housing arrangements. No matter your living situation, every individual deserves the same access and support in recovery,” said Congressman Rouzer. "Yet, under FEMA’s current eligibility rules, certain individuals in condos, co-ops, and homeowner associations do not have access to Individual Assistance to cover the damage of common elements, often requiring increased costs for individuals to rebuild. This Disaster Assistance Fairness Act allows these individuals to receive the same assistance as everyone else.”
"When natural disasters strike, every American deserves access to federal assistance to recover and rebuild, no matter where they live," said Congressman Nadler. "Yet, under FEMA's eligibility rules, millions of residents in common interest communities—such as housing cooperatives, condominiums, and homeowners' associations—are unfairly excluded from essential federal disaster assistance. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, thousands of New Yorkers and other Americans were shocked to discover that FEMA's eligibility rules left them with no way to restore their homes simply because they shared walls, floors, and utilities with neighbors. That is why I am proud to introduce the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that will ensure FEMA provides common-interest communities with the same support available to other homeowners. By correcting this inequity, we can help families and communities rebuild stronger and more resilient in the face of future disasters. Natural disasters do not discriminate, and neither should the federal government.”
"Community associations, including condominiums and homeowners associations, are essential parts of the American housing landscape, yet they continue to face barriers in accessing critical federal disaster recovery resources. We deeply appreciate Rep. Rouzer for his steadfast leadership in reintroducing the Disaster Assistance Equity Act, along with the support of Senator Budd, to ensure that all communities receive the assistance they need to recover and rebuild after disasters. CAI remains committed to advocating for fair and equitable access to FEMA resources for the millions of Americans living in community associations" said Tom Skiba, CEO, Community Associations Institute
"When disaster devastates their homes, the homeowners in housing cooperatives, condominiums and homeowner associations deserve the same FEMA relief grants to clear rubble and to rebuild that the owners of houses receive. The National Association of Housing Cooperatives wholeheartedly supports this bill," said Fred Gibbs, President, National Association of Housing Cooperatives.
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Background:
Congressman Rouzer introduced identical legislation during the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congress. Specifically, the bill makes two key changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act:
- Makes essential common elements of a homeowner 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;
- Ensures homeowner associations, condos, and co-ops are included in any exception granted to FEMA for the removal of debris on private roads in the aftermath of a major disaster.
You can read the full bill here.
