What does Preamble of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to make available necessary disaster assistance for families affected by major disasters, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the "Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026".

What does DEFINITIONS. of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “FEMA” is defined as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Administrator” is defined as the Administrator of FEMA.

What does ELIGIBILITY FOR AND USE OF DISASTER ASSISTANCE. of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines eligibility for and use of disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Individuals and households residing in declared disaster areas, such as those affected by Hurricane Maria of 2017, may be eligible for financial assistance. Eligible individuals or households include those who do not have documented ownership rights or rental agreements for their property. Assistance may cover costs related to obtaining property title, including land surveys, taxes, and fees. To determine eligibility, the Administrator shall consider evidence of 'constructive ownership,' such as utility bills, pay stubs, and property tax receipts. A wide range of documentation can be considered as evidence, including medical records, charitable donation receipts, and wills. This section applies to funds appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

What does DECLARATIVE STATEMENT. of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines the creation and distribution of a declarative statement form for applicants seeking assistance under section 3 of the Act. The Administrator is required to create and distribute this form within 30 days of the Act's enactment, coordinating with relevant authorities. Notarization of the declarative statement form is prohibited. The form is exempt from certain administrative requirements, including public comment periods and Office of Management and Budget review. FEMA employees will receive guidance on the Act's requirements within 30 days of enactment. The form must be available in Spanish and English at Disaster Recovery Centers and published online in multiple languages. Applicants who received assistance since January 1, 2017, will have at least 180 days to submit the form to reopen or appeal a case after receiving notice.

What does REPAIR AND REBUILDING. of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The definition of damage eligible for assistance is revised to focus on residences 'damaged by a major disaster' rather than those 'rendered uninhabitable'. The requirement to restore residences 'to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition' is replaced with a requirement to 'ensure that such residences are habitable during longer term recovery'. Assistance for housing solutions is now contingent on a Presidential determination that it is a 'cost effective alternative to other housing solutions'.

What does FEMA HUD AGREEMENTS. of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a requirement for consultation between the FEMA Administrator and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development following a major disaster declaration. The consultation must occur within 60 days of the disaster declaration. The purpose of the consultation is to discuss the implementation of a disaster housing assistance program or similar joint program. The program aims to provide temporary rental assistance to individuals and households displaced by the disaster. Eligibility for assistance includes individuals and households eligible under section 3(a) of this Act.

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Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/27/2026 · Introduced: 4/27/2026

Author: Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill expands eligibility for disaster assistance to include individuals and households without traditional property documentation by allowing consideration of 'constructive ownership' evidence.
The bill streamlines the disaster assistance process by creating a declarative statement form, exempting it from certain administrative requirements, and requiring its availability in multiple languages.
This legislation modifies disaster relief criteria, broadening the definition of eligible damage to include residences 'damaged by a major disaster' and prioritizing 'habitable' conditions over restoring properties to a 'safe and sanitary' state.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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