[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5474 Introduced in House (IH)]
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115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5474
To make available necessary disaster assistance for families affected
by major disasters, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 11, 2018
Mr. Espaillat (for himself, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Serrano, Miss Gonzalez-
Colon of Puerto Rico, Mr. Soto, Ms. Velazquez, Mrs. Murphy of Florida,
Mr. Vargas, Ms. Norton, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Ms. Wilson of Florida,
Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Shea-Porter, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr.
Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. Raskin, and Mr. Huffman)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on
Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To make available necessary disaster assistance for families affected
by major disasters, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Housing Victims of Major Disasters
Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR AND USE OF DISASTER HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
(a) Eligibility.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
family described in subsections (c) and (d) shall be eligible for
housing assistance made available under section 408 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174)
in connection with a major disaster declared pursuant to such Act,
including Hurricane Maria of 2017.
(b) Use.--In the case of any housing assistance described in
subsection (a) that is made available in connection with a major
disaster declared pursuant to such Act, including Hurricane Maria of
2017, such assistance may be used on behalf of families described in
subsection (c) for costs relating to obtaining title for such families
to properties described in subsection (c)(1), which shall include costs
of land surveys and any other taxes or fees associated with transfer of
the property.
(c) Eligibility.--With respect to a major disaster, a family
described in this subsection is a family who--
(1) is occupying an otherwise unused or uninhabited
property located in the area for which the major disaster was
declared but who does not have documented ownership rights to,
and is not renting the property; or
(2) is renting a property located in the area for which the
major disaster was declared but does not have a written lease
for such rental.
In making a determination of whether occupancy or a rental tenancy
exists for purposes of paragraphs (1) or (2), the Administrator of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (referred to in this Act as FEMA)
shall consider a wide range of evidence that demonstrates the existence
of such occupancy or tenancy set forth in subsection (d).
(d) Alternative Forms of Proof.--
(1) In general.--In determining if an individual or family
is eligible for housing assistance under subsection (c), the
Administrator shall consider a sworn and notarized affidavit
written by a licensed attorney that affirms such occupancy or
tenancy by the individual who owns, possesses, and maintains
the house or land and the presentation of one of the following
documents to affirm proof of ownership of the individual named
in the affidavit:
(A) A utility (gas, electric, or water) bill with
the name and address of the individual.
(B) A merchant's statement (credit card, delivery
notice, or first class mail) with the name and address
of the individual.
(C) A pay stub from an employer with the name and
address of the individual.
(D) A current driver's license or State-issued
identification card of the individual.
(E) The deed or title for the home or land.
(F) Mortgage payment booklet or other mortgage
documents.
(G) Property title of mobile home certificate of
title.
(H) Real estate property tax receipts.
(I) School registration for self, child, or
children.
(J) Will and testament with the name and address.
(K) Medical records that list the name and address
of the individual.
(L) Charitable donation receipts that list the name
and address of the individual.
(M) Government assistance documents.
(N) Any other documentation, certification,
identification, or proof of occupancy or ownership not
included on this list, that can reasonably link the
person requesting assistance to the damaged property.
(O) If records are unavailable due to damage from
the disaster or any other circumstance that impedes an
individual from providing proof of ownership, the
Administrator shall request verification from the State
or Federal agency with the written permission of the
individual or legally authorized representative of such
individual.
(2) Additional review.--The Administrator shall review
again, any previous FEMA application submitted for housing
assistance that was denied in 2017 or 2018.
(3) Notification of employees.--Not later than 7 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
provide written notification and guidance to FEMA employees
regarding the requirements set forth in this Act.
SEC. 3. FEMA DHAP AGREEMENTS.
(a) 2017 Disasters.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall enter into an interagency agreement or
agreements with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as may
be necessary to ensure the implementation of a Disaster Housing
Assistance Program to provide temporary rental assistance to families
displaced from their residences by any major disaster declared during
2017 pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, including Hurricane Maria of 2017, including families
eligible for such assistance under section 2(a) of this Act.
(b) Future Disasters.--In the case of any major disaster declared
pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) after the date of the enactment
of this Act, not later than 60 days after such declaration the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall engage in
consultations regarding the implementation of a Disaster Housing
Assistance Program to provide temporary rental assistance to families
displaced from their residences by the disaster, including families
eligible for such assistance under section 2(a) of this Act.
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