Lance Orozco | KCLU
Legislation by Democratic Congresswoman Julia Brownley would allow FEMA to drop rule which can hold up emergency housing funds for disaster victims.
A Ventura County congresswoman has introduced legislation intended to make it easier for people hit by disasters to get emergency housing faster.
The bill is intended to help those currently caught in a paperwork gap.
FEMA’s Displacement Assistance program provides up front money to help people hit by disasters with support for housing. But, current rules require people to confirm that their insurance policy doesn’t cover similar expanses.
It can often take time to confirm eligibility, and those hit by disasters can be literally be left out in the cold, or stuck in shelters until the issue is resolved.
Democratic Congresswoman Julia Brownley of Westlake Village introduced the legislation. It would take away the insurance verification requirement so people can get emergency aid immediately.
This story was originally published by KCLU on February 26, 2025.
Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief