[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 240 (Friday, December 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75729-75730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29438]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP)-Ike

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice that the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD) executed an Interagency Agreement (IAA) establishing 
a grant program called ``Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP)-
Ike'' for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. DHAP-Ike is a temporary housing 
rental assistance and case management program for identified 
individuals and families displaced by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. Under 
the IAA, HUD acts as the servicing agency of DHAP-Ike and will begin 
administration of the program effective November 1, 2008.

DATES: FEMA and HUD executed the Interagency Agreement and established 
DHAP-Ike for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav on September 23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Details about DHAP-Ike will be published by HUD in a 
subsequent Federal Register Notice. In addition, a copy of the full 
text of the FEMA-HUD IAA can be accessed via the FEMA Web site at 
http://www.fema.gov. Other related program information on DHAP-Ike is 
available on the HUD Web site at http://hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/ike.cfm. Periodic updates on DHAP-Ike will be posted on 
FEMA and HUD's Web sites.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Berl D. Jones, Jr., Director, 
Individual Assistance Division, Disaster Assistance Directorate, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, 
500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472, telephone (202) 212-1000 (this 
is not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or hearing 
impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In September 2008, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav 
struck the United States causing significant damage to property and the 
displacement of tens of thousands of individuals and families from 
their homes and communities. Under section 408 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5174, 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster housing 
programs are short-term assistance programs with a limitation of 18 
months, unless extended by the President.
    Because HUD has the expertise in administering various Federal 
housing programs, FEMA is relying on HUD's experience to design, 
implement, and administer DHAP-Ike for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 
coordination with and on behalf of FEMA. Under DHAP-Ike, HUD will 
provide housing assistance, security and utility deposits, and case 
management services to individuals and families displaced by Hurricane 
Gustav and Ike. The local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), which 
currently administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) and the 
Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) for Hurricanes Katrina and 
Rita, will be designated by HUD to administer DHAP-Ike in their 
jurisdictions. PHAs will be awarded grants from FEMA to provide rent 
subsidies to eligible families for a period not to exceed 17 months 
commencing November 1, 2008

[[Page 75730]]

and ending no later than March 13, 2010.
    Families eligible for DHAP-Ike are those identified by FEMA who 
currently receive or are eligible to receive initial and/or continued 
rental assistance authorized under section 408 of the Stafford Act, 42 
U.S.C. 5174, pursuant to the Presidential major disaster declarations 
resulting from Hurricane Ike. FEMA will rely on the eligibility 
standards established for its temporary housing program at 44 CFR 
206.113 and 44 CFR 206.114 in determining who is eligible for referral 
to DHAP-Ike. All eligible families wishing to participate in DHAP-Ike 
must sign and execute a HUD-provided DHAP lease or addendum to their 
current lease, with their landlord, which sets forth the new 
obligations to receive the rental subsidy. Similarly, landlords who 
agree to participate in DHAP-Ike must sign and execute a Disaster Rent 
Subsidy Contract (DRSC) with the PHA outlining the new conditions and 
obligations, in addition to signing a lease addendum with the tenant.
    On November 1, 2008, HUD assumed the responsibilities for providing 
rental assistance and case management to families identified by FEMA. 
Beginning May 1, 2009, the Incremental Rent Transition (IRT) will be 
implemented, under which HUD will reduce the amount of rent paid 
incrementally by $50 and individuals and families are required to 
contribute $50 towards their rental payment. Every month thereafter, 
the individual or family's rent contribution will increase in 
increments of $50, as HUD's provision is reduced by an equal amount, 
until the program ends in March 2010. The program provides a hardship 
waiver for the IRT if individuals and families demonstrate they cannot 
afford their incremental rent increase.
    No later than August 1, 2009, individuals and families whose rent 
burden is less than 30 percent of their post-disaster gross income, 
taking into account existing mortgages for primary residences that 
remain uninhabitable, will no longer be eligible for DHAP-Ike. 
Individuals and families whose rent burden and mortgage exceed 30 
percent of their post-disaster income will continue to receive 
assistance, subject to the IRT, through March 2010 when the program 
ends. Details of the program, including descriptions of IRT, hardship 
provision, and 30 percent post-disaster income determinations will be 
spelled out in the Federal Register Notice and standard operating 
procedures published by HUD.
    The designated PHAs will also provide case management services, 
which will include a needs assessment and individual development plan 
(IDP) for each family. The objective of HUD case management services is 
to promote self-sufficiency for the participating family.
    Details about DHAP-Ike will be published by HUD in a subsequent 
Federal Register Notice. In addition, a copy of the full text of the 
FEMA-HUD IAA can be accessed via the FEMA Web site at http://www.fema.gov. Other related program information on DHAP-Ike is 
available on the HUD Web site at http://hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/ike.cfm. Periodic updates on DHAP-Ike will be posted on 
FEMA and HUD's Web sites.

    Authority: Legal authority for DHAP-Ike is based on the 
Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) general grant authority 
under section 102(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act, 6 U.S.C. 112, 
and sections 306(a), 408(b)(1), and 426 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 
U.S.C. 5149(a), 5174(b)(1), and 5189d, respectively. As a servicing 
agency under a grant from FEMA, and consistent with The Economy Act 
(31 U.S.C. 1535), HUD derives all authority under the program from 
FEMA and any and all actions originate from FEMA's authority.

    Dated: December 5, 2008.
R. David Paulison,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. E8-29438 Filed 12-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-23-P