HR-1245 : Still Just a Bill

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The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 (H.R. 1245) aims to improve the individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following a disaster. Here's a summary of the key provisions:

• Information Sharing: Establishes a "unified disaster application system" to facilitate information sharing between federal agencies to administer disaster assistance programs more efficiently.
• Universal Application: Creates a universal application for individuals to apply for direct federal disaster assistance.
• Repair and Rebuilding: Expands financial assistance for repairs to residences damaged by a major disaster and allows financial assistance for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures.
• Direct Assistance: Allows the President to provide direct assistance for the repair of owner-occupied private residences when individuals are unable to make use of financial assistance.
• State-Managed Housing Pilot Authority: Modifies the State-Managed Housing Pilot Program, making the criteria used to evaluate applications more transparent and increasing the Federal share for disaster assistance under certain subsections.
• Management Costs: Modifies management cost reimbursements for state grantees for individual assistance.
• Online Guides: Permits funding to State agencies to establish and operate websites that provide information relating to post-disaster recovery funding and resources.
• Individual Assistance Dashboard: Requires FEMA to publish an interactive web tool displaying information on applications for assistance after a major disaster declaration.
• FEMA Reports: Requires FEMA to submit reports on the average amount and rate of denial of individual assistance, broken down by income levels.
• Sheltering Emergency Personnel: Allows FEMA to reimburse state, tribal, or local governments for costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel.
• Improved Rental Assistance: Includes local post-disaster rent increases in rental assistance considerations and requires a study to address challenges and disparities of disaster assistance provided to renters.
• GAO Reports: Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct studies and submit reports to Congress on preliminary damage assessments and challenges to States and Territories in obtaining assistance under public assistance alternative procedures.

In short, the bill seeks to streamline disaster assistance, increase transparency, and address specific challenges faced by disaster survivors, particularly renters and those with lower incomes.

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