Overview 

FEMA may provide funding to public housing authorities (PHAs) under the Public Assistance Program for emergency work costs and for the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster damaged public housing facilities.   Previously, Section 9(k) of the Housing Act of 1937, as amended (Housing Act), authorized the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide disaster assistance to repair disaster-damaged PHA facilities.  Therefore, FEMA could not provide disaster assistance for the permanent repair of PHA facilities eligible for funding under Section 9(k) of the Housing Act.  FEMA could only reimburse for the eligible emergency work costs of such facilities.  Congress repealed Section 9(k) of the Housing Act as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which the President signed into law on July 30, 2008 (now Public Law 110-289).  FEMA now has authority to fund both the emergency costs and permanent repair of all PHA facilities for major disasters and emergencies declared on or after October 1, 2008. 

Eligible Work

* Emergency Work:  FEMA may provide essential assistance under Section 403 of the Stafford Act to PHAs and American Indian and Alaskan Native designated public housing entities.  This assistance may include debris removal, demolition of unsafe structures, and any actions necessary to reduce an immediate threat to life, property, and public health and safety.

* Permanent Work:  FEMA may provide assistance to repair, replace or reconstruct disaster-damaged PHA facilities unless Congress appropriates funds to HUD for emergency capital needs to repair, restore, or replace certain PHA facilities damaged in Presidentially declared major disasters.  American Indian and Alaskan Native designated public housing entities may apply directly to FEMA for disaster assistance.

								
Elizabeth A. Zimmerman			Date
Assistant Administrator
Recovery Directorate


DISASTER ASSISTANCE FACT SHEET DAP9580.XXX
FACT SHEET TITLE








RECOVERY
FACT SHEET
9580.205

Public Assistance Funding for Public Housing Facilities