SE North Carolina News

Recently, Congressmen David Rouzer and Jerry Nadler reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act. This legislation aims to provide residential communities with comprehensive assistance following disasters. Current FEMA regulations can prevent homeowner associations from qualifying for federal disaster response and recovery programs for shared elements of homes and communities. The new bill seeks to change this.

"Last year’s hurricane season reminded us natural disasters do not discriminate among neighborhoods, location, or housing arrangements," said Congressman Rouzer. "No matter your living situation, every individual deserves the same access and support in recovery."

Congressman Nadler added, "When natural disasters strike, every American deserves access to federal assistance to recover and rebuild, no matter where they live." He noted that current FEMA eligibility rules exclude millions of residents in common interest communities from essential federal disaster assistance.

Tom Skiba, CEO of the Community Associations Institute, expressed appreciation for Rep. Rouzer's leadership in reintroducing the act: "Community associations...are essential parts of the American housing landscape...CAI remains committed to advocating for fair and equitable access to FEMA resources."

Fred Gibbs, President of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, stated support for the bill: "The homeowners in housing cooperatives...deserve the same FEMA relief grants...that the owners of houses receive."

Senator Ted Budd introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

The bill proposes two key changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act: making essential common elements eligible under FEMA’s Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program; ensuring homeowner associations are included in exceptions granted for debris removal on private roads after major disasters.