This bill expands FEMA disaster housing assistance eligibility by lowering damage requirements from uninhabitable to damaged, allowing permanent housing construction as a cost-effective alternative, and recognizing constructive ownership for applicants without formal documentation. FEMA must consider all evidence of ownership claims and may accept signed statements when documentation is insufficient.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill expands FEMA disaster housing assistance eligibility by lowering damage requirements from uninhabitable to damaged, allowing permanent housing construction as a cost-effective alternative, and recognizing constructive ownership for applicants without formal documentation. FEMA must consider all evidence of ownership claims and may accept signed statements when documentation is insufficient.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act</strong></p><p>This bill expands eligibility for disaster housing assistance under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program (IHP) with respect to property damage, availability of housing resources, and constructive (i.e., implied) ownership. </p><p>Specifically, the bill lowers the level of damage required to be eligible for IHP housing assistance, so the residence must be damaged by a major disaster instead of rendered uninhabitable.</p><p>Also, under current law, FEMA is authorized to provide IHP assistance for permanent housing construction where (1) no alternative housing resources are available; and (2) other types of temporary housing assistance are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective. The bill authorizes IHP permanent housing construction where FEMA determines such assistance is a cost-effective alternative to other housing solutions, such as providing for temporary housing costs.</p><p>Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to consider an individual's or household’s claim of constructive ownership, where evidence supports such ownership is more likely than not, when determining eligibility for IHP financial assistance for home repair or replacement for a residence without documented ownership rights. FEMA must consider all evidence provided (e.g., deeds, tax receipts, insurance documents) when determining whether constructive ownership more likely than not exists. If FEMA determines the evidence is insufficient, FEMA may require a signed declarative statement describing the constructive ownership.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Lowers damage threshold from uninhabitable to damaged
Allows cost-effective permanent housing construction
Recognizes constructive ownership without formal documentation
FEMA must consider all ownership evidence
Signed statements acceptable when documentation insufficient
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Disaster survivors often face barriers to FEMA assistance, particularly those with informal property arrangements common in low-income and rural communities. This bill addresses these gaps by expanding eligibility and recognizing ownership through evidence beyond formal deeds. The changes could significantly increase assistance to vulnerable populations who previously fell through the cracks of disaster relief programs.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Emergency Management
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
426, 119th Congress (2025). "Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-426
