DES MOINES, Iowa – At the request of the state government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has activated Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for survivors in Mills and Fremont counties affected by severe storms and flooding beginning March 12.
These housing units are not permanent dwellings. They are part of a comprehensive set of temporary housing programs for people displaced by floods, allowing survivors to remain close to their jobs and communities as they rebuild.
FEMA has already begun the process of identifying survivors in Mills and Fremont counties who might be eligible for temporary housing. FEMA will initiate contact with the households who may qualify to conduct a pre-placement interview to determine whether the household needs direct housing.
FEMA Housing Assistance, both financial and direct, can be provided for up to 18 months from March 23, 2019, if the survivors can demonstrate a continuing need for temporary housing while working on their permanent housing plan.
Only survivors who have previously registered with FEMA can be considered for temporary housing. There are four ways to register for disaster assistance prior to the extended deadline date of July 1:
- Online at: www.disasterassistance.gov.
- Via FEMA’s disaster app on your smartphone at www.fema.gov/mobile-app.
- Call 800-621-3362, voice/711/video relay service. Multilingual operators are on duty. For TTY, use 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time until further notice.
- Visit a state/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find the nearest location, go online to www.FEMA.gov/DRC.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has faced discrimination, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362, voice/VP/711. Multilingual operators are available. TTY users may call 800-462-7585.
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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
HSEMD Mission: To lead, coordinate and support homeland security and emergency management functions in order to establish sustainable communities and ensure economic opportunities for Iowa and its citizens.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 TTY. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice.