FEMA Direct Temporary Housing & Recovery Update

Direct Temporary Housing:

The severity and scope of destruction of the wildfires and straight-line winds has severely diminished the ability of the state to adequately respond to the housing needs of the residents of Lane County. Additionally, the lack of available rental resources, the unique commuting challenges in the McKenzie Valley, and the need to ensure that residents, front line workers, and first responders remain in the affected area is of major concern for state and local officials.
Based upon the State’s request and supporting analysis, FEMA is authorizing direct temporary housing assistance in the form of Direct Lease, Multi-Family Lease and Repair, and Transportable Temporary Housing Units for Lane County within FEMA-4562-DR-OR.

Source: DaFazio.house.gov

Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch today applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) approval of Lane County’s request for a direct housing mission following September’s deadly wildfires.

“A FEMA direct housing mission is absolutely critical to restoring the McKenzie River community, reconnecting neighbors, bringing children and their families back to their school district, and providing safe housing while residents work to rebuild,” said Commissioner Heather Buch, who represents the McKenzie area. “We are thankful for the support of our State partners and our federal delegation, including Congressman DeFazio, Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden, who were tireless advocates of our appeal. We are ready to continue our work with FEMA to get people into housing as quickly as possible. We are committed to supporting McKenzie River residents at every opportunity.”

▪  Lane County has been approved to participate in FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Program along with four other counties: Jackson, Lincoln, Linn and Marion Counties.

▪  Survivors do not apply for Direct Temporary Housing, rather FEMA will contact applicants who are eligible and meet the criteria established for the program.

▪  Survivor housing units are chosen by FEMA based on the survivor family composition and needs, as well as to ensure that requirements for access or functional needs are met.

▪ Ongoing participation in the program, which can last until March 2022, depends on each survivor’s efforts to find a permanent housing solution and following the rules established by the park and FEMA.

The lawmakers repeatedly pushed FEMA to approve Lane County’s application. In October, after FEMA Administrator Gaynor toured the damage from the Holiday Farm fire, DeFazio personally delivered an appeal to urge the Agency to grant Lane County’s request. After FEMA denied Lane County’s initial request in November, DeFazio led a congressional delegation effort to appeal the decision.

“This is tremendous news for the hundreds of Lane County residents who have been in other temporary housing for months,” said Rep. DeFazio. “As we enter a new year, this decision will provide these families with some much-needed certainty for the months ahead. I’m grateful to FEMA for their continued support as Lane County works to rebuild after this fall’s devastating fires.”

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“When I spoke to the folks who lost their homes in the McKenzie Valley region during the unprecedented wildfires last fall, it was clear that they were shaken and uncertain what the future held, and urgently needed all the help FEMA could provide,” Senator Merkley said. “This direct housing assistance is a critical step toward rebuilding. I’m pleased we were able to work with FEMA to deliver resources for the community, and I’ll keep pushing for every distressed family to qualify for resources.”

Housing Assistance:

▪  More than $1.6 million in grants approved for housing repairs or replacement for 228 homeowners.

▪  $707,183 in grants have been approved for personal property, transportation and other disaster- related serious needs for 323 applicants.

▪ 754 home inspections have been issued with 99 percent completed.

▪  Applicants for FEMA assistance should stay in touch with FEMA to keep their recovery on track. Missing or incorrect information could result in delays in receiving assistance.

▪  Survivors can stay in touch the following ways: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov; download the FEMA app; or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

▪  373 individuals and households have been approved for nearly $2.3 million in federal grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.

▪  Nearly $6.4 million in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans have been approved for 52 homeowners and renters and four businesses as of Jan. 22.

“After seeing firsthand the destructive impact of the wildfires last September on Lane County communities, I’m glad this housing help is available for families who need this assistance so urgently,” Senator Wyden said. “This aid is a must in these cold winter months, and I’ll keep working with FEMA and the delegation on all the work that’s needed to continue recovering and rebounding from these blazes that ripped through homes and small businesses alike.”