FACT SHEET: SAFE, SANITARY, AND FUNCTIONAL HOMES
[https://www.fema.gov/news-release/20200220/nha-toan-sach-se-va-thuc-dung]


Release Date: 
Février 27, 2019 

	* Survivors whose homes suffered damage from Hurricane Michael and
are uninsured or underinsured, may be eligible for help from FEMA to
restore their homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition.
	* FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance nor can it make the
survivor whole. Federal assistance from FEMA only provides the basic
needs for a home to be habitable—including toilets, a roof, critical
utilities, windows and doors. Examples of ineligible items may include
non-essential cabinets and garage doors.
	* Home damage must be disaster-caused. A home inspection is required
in order to calculate and verify the loss. Calculations are based on
the general depreciation amount for items of average quality, size and
capacity. 

	* Safe, sanitary and functional homes meet the following conditions:

	* The exterior is structurally sound, including the doors, roof and
windows.
	* The electricity, gas, heat, plumbing, and sewer and septic systems
function properly.
	* The interior’s habitable areas are structurally sound, including
ceiling and floors.
	* The home is capable of operating for its intended purpose.
	* There is safe access to and from the home.

Examples

	* Appliances: FEMA may assist in the replacement or repair of
disaster-damaged furnaces and hot-water heaters. Non-essential items
like dishwashers and home entertainment equipment will not be
considered.
	* Ceiling and Roof Damage: FEMA may assist to repair disaster-caused
leaks in a roof that damage ceilings and threaten electrical
components like overhead lights. The cost to fix minor stains from
roof leaks is not reimbursable. 
	* Floors: FEMA may assist to repair subfloors in occupied parts of
the home that were damaged due to the disaster.
	* Windows: FEMA may assist with disaster-related broken windows, but
not blinds and drapes.
 
Determining Livability
	* FEMA calculations to verify loss vary because every applicant’s
situation is different. Expenses for repairs that exceed the
conditions to make a home safe, sanitary and functional are
ineligible. 
	* FEMA uses multiple methods to verify habitability, including
on-site inspections and the use of technology—such as satellite
imagery combined with applicant assessments. The most common type of
verification is an on-site inspection.

On-Site Inspections

	* FEMA provides specific guidelines that inspectors must follow
during the on-site inspection to assess a home’s habitability. FEMA
inspectors record the damage viewed, along with information provided
by the applicant, but they do not determine the applicant’s
eligibility for disaster assistance.
	* A FEMA inspector will visit the home to assess disaster damage to
the applicant’s residence and personal property—such as furniture,
appliances, vehicles and essential equipment for daily household
needs. 
	* The FEMA inspector also may photograph damage to help document
disaster-caused losses that render the applicant’s residence
uninhabitable, unsafe or inaccessible. But FEMA inspectors will not
physically inspect areas that are unsafe for them to access.
	* For homeowners, habitability is based on all recorded
disaster-caused damage. 
	* For renters, the habitability determination is based on the
disaster-caused damage that has not yet been repaired at the time of
the inspection. Renters are not responsible for repairs to the damaged
dwelling, so if repairs have been made or are being made, the
inspector will note the condition at the time of the inspection. 
	* For additional information, please see the FEMA’s Individuals &
Households Program Unified Guidance
[https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/124228] page.  

 

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