CAI members impacted by Hurricane Sandy and other Presidentially-declared natural disasters face high recovery costs as local governments are being denied Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement for debris removal and other disaster recovery expenses in community associations. Community associations−condominiums, homeowners’ associations, and cooperatives−are a growing form of housing and represent 1 in 5 homes in America.
On July 31, 2013, Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), introduced H.R. 2887 – To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide assistance for condominiums and housing cooperatives damaged by a major disaster, and for other purposes. The full bill text can be found here.
Although this is an important bill that deserves our support, it does not address all of CAI’s areas of concern. Specifically, the bill seeks to include condominiums and housing cooperatives in the list of FEMA covered entities for disaster assistance; however, homeowners associations are NOT included in the bill. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 2887 is a big step forward for community associations receiving equitable treatment under FEMA disaster guidelines. CAI is monitoring the situation and is making preparations for the next steps in support of passage of the bill.To read Rep. Israel’s press release, please click here.
