FEMA Housing Strategy – A Work in Progress
October 22, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Today, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (OIG) released a report entitled FEMA’s Housing Strategy for Future Disasters (OIG-09-111) which details several deficiencies that remain in FEMA’s disaster housing strategy.
The Inspector General found that FEMA’s traditional direct housing programs are not the most cost effective manner to provide housing for people displaced by natural disasters. The OIG faults FEMA for failing to assess housing stock availability, condition and cost when developing a strategy to respond to housing need, especially in the wake of catastrophic occurrences. Finally, the OIG calls upon FEMA to seek administrative or legislative remedies that will permit flexibility to explore alternative housing solutions.
In July, the Committee on Homeland Security held a Hearing on alternative housing solutions and heard testimony from a variety of vendors who produce housing options other than travel trailers. That hearing found that FEMA’s long-term disaster housing costs could be significantly reduced through the use of alternative housing solutions.
The OIG found that FEMA’s lack of operational procedures and legislative authorities to promote the cost-effective repair of housing stocks further diminishes housing stock availability in the aftermath of a disaster. Also, state and local authorities do not work effectively with FEMA to develop and implement low cost housing solutions.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement with the release of the report:
"After a disaster, filling the need for immediate housing is critically important. FEMA’s actions prior to Hurricane Ike demonstrated its improved ability to prepared for disasters. However, this report makes clear that FEMA’s housing program challenges continue. Congress and the Administration must work together to find a way to both reduce costs and provide housing to people displaced by disaster."
Link to Report
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
