Direct Housing Assistance Recertification

Recertification is a process that FEMA uses to re-evaluate the eligibility of Direct Housing occupants through monthly visits. It helps to motivate the occupants to fulfill their Permanent Housing Plan. 

FEMA direct housing team continues to rollout manufactured housing units and travel trailers for eligible survivors of Hurricane Idalia in Florida.  Many units have been “licensed in,” which means families have been given the keys and taken possession of these housing units. FEMA requires all occupants of the temporary direct housing unit to actively participate in the recertification process. 

Establishing a Permanent Housing Plan

FEMA requires the primary occupant of the Transportable Temporary Housing Unit (including a manufactured housing unit and travel trailer) to establish a realistic PHP for their household no later than the first recertification. An acceptable PHP may demonstrate one of the following: 

• A pre-disaster owner can repair or rebuild the pre-disaster residence.
• A pre-disaster owner can purchase a new residence.
• A pre-disaster owner or renter can find and lease an available rental unit.

Making Your PHP Realistic and Achievable 

As a primary occupant of TTHU, FEMA will regularly review your permanent housing plan to ensure the plan is realistic and achievable within the period of assistance. A PHP is realistic and achievable when you:

• demonstrate sufficient financial resources or other viable means for achieving the PHP within the period of assistance. Sufficient resources include verifiable funds or commitment of non-financial assistance, such as voluntary agency labor; and
• show documented progress towards the PHP (e.g., acquired permits, contracts for repairs).

Working with Your Recertification Advisor

A recertification advisor plays a key role in the recertification process by guiding you through your recovery, reviewing the Revocable License or Temporary Housing Agreement as needed, and delivering important FEMA communications to you. 

The recertification advisor will work with you to identify potential unmet needs by discussing your financial status, status of housing repairs or construction, and long-term housing goals. After the visit, the recertification advisor will coordinate with other recovery partners to identify which needs can be fulfilled by FEMA grants or alternative resources. The recertification advisor then will follow up with you to decide the next steps. 

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/disaster/4734. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.