Release Date:
May 21, 2024
FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help with disaster-related critical needs such as a safe, sanitary and functional place to live during your recovery from the Aug. 8 wildfires. FEMA also offers rental assistance for alternative housing if the fires made your home unlivable.
FEMA will contact you if you are eligible for the program.
- FEMA will provide funds you can use to pay your rent, including a security deposit, at a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be a house, apartment or condominium within 40 miles of your pre-disaster home on Maui. Or, it can be off island, in the Continental U.S. or at any U.S.-governed location. Rental Assistance includes essential utilities such as electricity and water, but not cable or internet.
- The rental amount that FEMA approves is determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is based on fiscal year 2023 fair market rates for your current location. To find these rates for states and counties, go to https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/fmrs/FY2023_code/2023summary.odn?&year=2023&fmrtype=Final&cbsasub=
- For eligible households, FEMA may pay more than 100% of the HUD fair market rate, or $1,532 for a studio; $1,606 for a one-bedroom unit; $1,986 (two BR); $2,731 (three BR); and $2,944 (four BR); $3,386 (five BR); $3,893 six BR).
- For eligible households currently living outside of Maui, FEMA may pay up to 100% of the HUD Fair Market Rent for a specific location. To find these rates for states and counties, go to. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html.
- If you received initial rental assistance from FEMA, you may be eligible for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance. To request an Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance or get help completing the form, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
- To continue receiving rental assistance, you must prove an ongoing need. That tells FEMA that suitable housing is not available to you or, through no fault of your own, your permanent housing plan has not been completed.
- If you intend to seek continued rental assistance, send FEMA receipts to show you used the initial rental assistance provided for rent. Survivors should keep receipts for three years.