Subpanel votes to remove disaster housing from FEMA
Calling it a lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina, the House Financial Services Housing Subcommittee approved a bill Thursday designating the Housing and Urban Development Department as the lead agency for handling long-term housing needs resulting from major disasters.
The bill (H.R. 5393), approved by voice vote, makes several other changes to federal disaster-declaration law aimed at easing the Gulf Coast's recovery from Katrina. The provisions include allowing only three trailers per site after a disaster to avoid the crowded Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer parks, and allowing disaster victims to decline a trailer without losing eligibility for other assistance.
FEMA, still in charge of housing some 10 months after Katrina struck late last August, has been criticized for its inflexible housing rules toward those whose homes whose were damaged or demolished in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama by the hurricane.
The measure is sponsored by Rep. Richard Baker, R-La., whose district includes Baton Rouge.
"Instead of the infuriatingly rigid rules that consign people to 'trailer cities,' this bill gives the government greater flexibility to offer more common-sense options and to mobilize creative alternatives that are safer, more attractive and more cost-effective in the long run," Baker said in a statement.
In instances where housing services may be needed for more than 30 days, the bill would allow the president to designate HUD as the lead agency in providing such housing.
The bill also would require federal, state and local governments to develop emergency evacuation plans specifically for disaster victims living in temporary FEMA trailers and calls for victims to be notified before trailers are delivered to their property.
COMMENTS
- I have served on several disaster teams, worked with major FEMA personnel and contractors, and city and state representatives, and believe that HUD should be the central point of contact for our country’s housing of disaster victims. FEMA should be held accountable for securing the areas affected. As I understand it, HUD's primary mission is to provide safe, sanitary and decent housing and that should include tapping into our federal resources. When you think of housing, the first thought is HUD. Anyone who has served on a disaster team, keep up the great work Government Disaster Team - Debra Posted June 12, 2006 2:04 PM
- FEMA is not in the housing business and it should not be! \FEMA is in the loan business and should provide immediate help (trailers) while it determines the loans to process or guarantee. Private builders should be flooding the area to rebuild houses but most of the people do not have the ability to rebuild. HUD definitely is not the agency to take on this function. In fact, the government should get rid of HUD! Taxpayer Posted June 12, 2006 7:17 AM
