Disaster Assistance Fairness Act

Disaster Assistance Fairness Act

This bill makes common interest communities, such as housing cooperatives (co-ops) and condominiums, eligible for the same assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as other homeowners.

Specifically, the bill

• adds definitions of residential common interest community, condominium, and housing cooperative to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act;
• requires FEMA to issue rules for the removal of debris or wreckage from real estate owned by a residential common interest community resulting from a major disaster and deems such removal to be in the public interest when a state or local government determines in writing that such debris or wreckage constitutes a threat to life, public health or safety, or the economic recovery of such community; and
• provides for the repair of essential common elements of a condominium or co-op damaged by a disaster under FEMA's Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program.

Bill 118 hr 3777, also known as the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act, aims to provide fair and equitable access to disaster assistance for individuals and communities affected by natural disasters. The bill seeks to address issues of discrimination and inequity in the distribution of disaster assistance funds by ensuring that all individuals and communities, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, have equal access to the resources they need to recover from a disaster.

The bill includes provisions that require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a comprehensive review of its disaster assistance programs to identify and address any disparities in the distribution of funds. It also mandates that FEMA develop and implement strategies to ensure that all individuals and communities have equal access to disaster assistance, including those in rural and underserved areas.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve transparency and accountability in the distribution of disaster assistance funds, including requirements for FEMA to report on the demographic data of individuals and communities receiving assistance and to provide regular updates on the status of disaster recovery efforts. Overall, the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act aims to promote fairness and equity in the distribution of disaster assistance funds, ensuring that all individuals and communities have the support they need to recover and rebuild after a natural disaster.