[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43208-43209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21295]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

44 CFR Part 206

RIN 3067-AC52


Disaster Housing Resources Program

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This advance notice of proposed rulemaking gives notice of 
FEMA's intent to divest itself of its inventory of mobile homes and 
travel trailers which serve as disaster temporary housing and to 
devolve this portion of the housing program to the States. We invite 
public comments on the devolvement process and program development 
concerning State-administered disaster housing resources programs.

DATES: Comments should be received by September 20, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Please send any comments to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office 
of the General Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C 
Street SW., room 840, Washington, DC 20472, (facsimile) (202) 646-4536.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agnes C. Mravcak, Chief, Housing 
Resources Branch, Human Services Division, Response and Recovery 
Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3660, (facsimile) (202) 646-2730.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 23, 1995, FEMA's report to the 
steering committee, National Performance Review Phase II, recommended 
that

[[Page 43209]]

FEMA divest itself of its inventory of mobile homes and travel trailers 
which serve as disaster temporary housing and devolve this portion of 
the housing program to the States.
    The need for providing actual structures to serve as disaster 
temporary housing is infrequent. The requirement occurs only when homes 
are so badly damaged they cannot be repaired quickly and when the 
amount of available rental housing in the area is insufficient to 
accommodate the number of applicants requiring temporary housing.
    Historically, an average of approximately two percent of all 
disaster housing assistance provided was in the form of a created 
resource. However, FEMA believes the resources of various State 
agencies can be mobilized to provide this housing in a timely and cost 
efficient manner.
    FEMA will continue to administer that portion of the housing 
program that provides eligible applicants with direct financial 
assistance to repair their homes or rent other living accommodations. 
FEMA will also continue to make applicant eligibility determinations 
and refer those requiring created housing to the State.
    FEMA and the State will enter into a cooperative agreement under 
which the State will perform the housing mission with appropriate 
program and administrative funding from FEMA, through the agreement or 
through a disaster grant. Details on the funding mechanism have yet to 
be determined.

    Dated: July 31, 1996.
William C. Tidball,
Associate Director, Response and Recovery.
[FR Doc. 96-21295 Filed 8-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-02-P