Long-term federal disaster relief meant in part to address housing was not approved until late September — more than a year after Laura — and must still clear bureaucratic hurdles before it can be distributed.
Besides the hurricanes, southwest Louisiana was also hit by a severe winter storm in February and flooding in May — all during the pandemic. It all means the struggles of families still living in FEMA trailers are likely to persist. Some were not able to move into the trailers until months or even more than a year after Laura. The last family moved in under the post-Laura program on Sept. Decorative cast-iron pistols line its guardrails.
It has served as a weekend getaway or a spot for road trippers to bed down for the night. A lake runs through the property and cabins are available for rent. Fishing lures are sold in the front office. But since the hurricanes, more than spaces have been rented by FEMA to house storm survivors. The trailers they live in are not the white boxes that were ubiquitous after Katrina. Many are the same types of RVs families would take on the road.
Debra Rogers, 58, seated outside her trailer next to her visiting daughter, praised the help provided by her FEMA case worker, but said the apartments she has seen are out of her price range.
The income that I have is not meeting that. Those in the FEMA housing program must meet conditions to remain there, including showing proof that they are searching for a permanent place to live by providing three such references a month, residents say.
Most long-term disaster relief comes from federal Community Development Block Grants, which must be approved by Congress. There are no guarantees both in terms of the amounts and timeframes — or even if any money will be sent at all. When it is eventually approved, it tends to take years before it results in new housing, said Teles. Various proposals have been pushed to address some of those issues. Saadian pointed to a bill in the Senate, co-sponsored by a bipartisan group including Bill Cassidy, that would provide a permanent funding process.
The program lasts longer and provides rental assistance, she said. Households living in the disaster area must meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive D-SNAP benefits such as a loss or reduced income due to the disaster, inaccessible resources, or incurring disaster expenses. The household must have experienced at least one of the following adverse effects to be eligible:.
Damage to or destruction of the household's home or self-employment business. Lost or inaccessible income, including reduction or termination of income, or a delay in receipt of income during the benefit period. You can also apply for regular SNAP on a paper application that can be mailed, faxed or returned to your local Customer Service Center.
Click here to download a paper form. Applicants who have been denied SNAP or disagree with the amount of benefits they received have the right to request a fair hearing from DCF to contest the decision.
To request a hearing, follow the instructions and timelines in the written eligibility notice provided by DCF. Free legal help from local legal aid programs may be available. To find your local program, go to www. HUD provides a variety of disaster resources listed below:. Mortgage Assistance from HUD's Federal Housing Administration FHA For a Presidentially declared disaster , FHA activates a mortgagee letter making a variety of insured loan programs available for disaster victims and putting into play use of special loan servicing and underwriting requirements.
Find out more. Assistance from Ginnie Mae Ginnie Mae encourages all single-family, manufactured housing, and multifamily Ginnie Mae issuers offering forbearance to provide forbearance to mortgagors in areas receiving a Presidential disaster declaration.
In certain instances, Ginnie Mae will assist issuers in their efforts to offer forbearance to mortgagors with pass-through payments. Visit Ginnie Mae's website. Fair Housing Information for Housing Providers.
Fair Housing Information for Survivors. Login now, or call toll-free 1- for assistance. Please call the landlord before going to see a property. Some properties may still have damage and be in repair queues. When active, EPAP helps people in a federally-identified disaster area who do not have health insurance get the prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment that they need.
This program helps people and communities better cope with a disaster and reduces stress on the healthcare system. People who are eligible for EPAP can file a claim at more than 72, retail pharmacies across the United States and its territories for prescription items that were lost, stolen, or destroyed because of a disaster. For the most recent information go to www. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. DRCs are set up in convenient areas after a disaster to make them easier to find.
Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance. At this time, classes have resumed for all students in impacted areas. For students displaced by a disaster or whose schools were damaged beyond immediate repair, Florida Virtual School may be an option.
Go to www. Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route? Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household. As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.
Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:. Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment. Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own. The Rebuild Florida program is still open! Less than two months later, Delta swept into the same area as a Category 2 storm.
Historic flooding followed in May. Across southwest Louisiana, homes still bear blue tarps and await roof repairs, businesses remain boarded up and some neighborhoods look almost abandoned. Thousands remain displaced. John Bel Edwards listens, on Monday, Nov.
0コメント