[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 21, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 43208-43209] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-21295] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 44 CFR Part 206 RIN 3067-AC52 Disaster Housing Resources Program AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This advance notice of proposed rulemaking gives notice of FEMA's intent to divest itself of its inventory of mobile homes and travel trailers which serve as disaster temporary housing and to devolve this portion of the housing program to the States. We invite public comments on the devolvement process and program development concerning State-administered disaster housing resources programs. DATES: Comments should be received by September 20, 1996. ADDRESSES: Please send any comments to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., room 840, Washington, DC 20472, (facsimile) (202) 646-4536. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agnes C. Mravcak, Chief, Housing Resources Branch, Human Services Division, Response and Recovery Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3660, (facsimile) (202) 646-2730. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 23, 1995, FEMA's report to the steering committee, National Performance Review Phase II, recommended that [[Page 43209]] FEMA divest itself of its inventory of mobile homes and travel trailers which serve as disaster temporary housing and devolve this portion of the housing program to the States. The need for providing actual structures to serve as disaster temporary housing is infrequent. The requirement occurs only when homes are so badly damaged they cannot be repaired quickly and when the amount of available rental housing in the area is insufficient to accommodate the number of applicants requiring temporary housing. Historically, an average of approximately two percent of all disaster housing assistance provided was in the form of a created resource. However, FEMA believes the resources of various State agencies can be mobilized to provide this housing in a timely and cost efficient manner. FEMA will continue to administer that portion of the housing program that provides eligible applicants with direct financial assistance to repair their homes or rent other living accommodations. FEMA will also continue to make applicant eligibility determinations and refer those requiring created housing to the State. FEMA and the State will enter into a cooperative agreement under which the State will perform the housing mission with appropriate program and administrative funding from FEMA, through the agreement or through a disaster grant. Details on the funding mechanism have yet to be determined. Dated: July 31, 1996. William C. Tidball, Associate Director, Response and Recovery. [FR Doc. 96-21295 Filed 8-20-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-02-P