Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act

Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act

This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the loan limits for the disaster loan program and to communicate certain information about the program following disasters.

Specifically, the bill raises from $40,000 to $75,000 the loan amount for repair or replacement of household and personal effects and from $200,000 to $400,000 the loan amount for repair or replacement of a primary residence.

Further, the bill requires the SBA to communicate through radio, television, print, and web-based outlets all relevant information needed by disaster loan applicants if a disaster is declared or the SBA declares eligibility for additional disaster assistance. (Currently, the SBA is only required to endeavor to communicate such information.)

The SBA must submit a report on the disaster loan program that includes information such as the number and dollar value of program loans and the average estimated dollar value of damage sustained by borrowers.

Bill 117 HR 4215, also known as the Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act, aims to provide support and resources to communities that have been affected by natural disasters. The bill focuses on improving disaster response and recovery efforts by increasing funding for disaster relief programs and streamlining the process for accessing these funds.

One key aspect of the bill is the establishment of a National Disaster Recovery Task Force, which will be responsible for coordinating federal, state, and local efforts to rebuild communities after disasters. The task force will work to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to help communities recover and rebuild.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase funding for disaster relief programs, such as the Disaster Relief Fund and the Community Development Block Grant program. This additional funding will help communities access the resources they need to recover from disasters and rebuild their infrastructure. Overall, the Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act aims to improve the response and recovery efforts following natural disasters by providing increased funding and support to affected communities. The bill seeks to streamline the process for accessing disaster relief funds and ensure that resources are allocated in a timely and efficient manner to help communities rebuild and recover.