FAQ: DIRECT HOUSING FOLLOW-UP
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230502/faq-direct-housing-follow]


Release Date: 
November 9, 2018 

I COMPLETED THE INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH FEMA AND AM ELIGIBLE FOR DIRECT
HOUSING.  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
You will receive another call to collect information to determine the
appropriate housing resource for you.  FEMA will ask you detailed
questions about your specific housing needs, the size of your property
for the Manufactured Housing Unit or trailer to be placed on,
household composition, and any accommodations that are required for
accessibility, medical necessities and/or disabilities.

HOW DOES FEMA KNOW WHERE MY HOUSING WILL BE PLACED?
FEMA will issue an inspection request to the contractor. The
contractor will call you to schedule an appointment to meet you at
your property.  The call will most likely come from an unfamiliar
area code. When coming to your site, the inspector will have a photo
identification and a form for you to sign to allow FEMA to put the
unit on your property, and to remove it when you are through using it.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SITE VISIT?
The contractor will measure your site, check and verify what kind of
unit could fit there, as well as verify utility connections and
coordinates for flood zone determinations. If it is determined that
the site is feasible, FEMA will issue a work order for the contractor
to place a unit on your site and begin the installation process.

WILL I NEED TO DO ANYTHING AFTER THE SITE VISIT?
FEMA may also ask you to contact your local permitting office and
request a permit for placement of the unit and your electric service
provider to ensure power availability.  In addition, FEMA needs to
know if you have pets.  If you do, they will need to be relocated
from the site during the installation for the safety of the
contractors and the animals themselves.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO INSTALL THE UNIT?
FEMA works to provide the most efficient method to haul and install
the units. Sometimes delays cannot be avoided. Weather can delay
contractors’ ability to perform work, as can local inspections,
utility providers, and other factors. The installation timeframe will
vary based on the type of unit and any challenges that arise. The work
is done as quickly as possible to provide your family with a safe,
sanitary and functional place to live while repairs are being made to
your home.

CAN I GO INSIDE OR PUT MY BELONGINGS INSIDE ONCE THE UNIT IS
DELIVERED?
No, the unit is not deemed safe until the contractor has completed the
entire setup and the unit has been inspected for safety. When the unit
inspection is complete, you will receive a call from FEMA to schedule
an appointment to sign the license-in agreement and to go over the
safety features of each unit.  You will sign the agreement with FEMA
for use of the temporary unit and then the keys will be given to
you.  At that point you can move into the unit.

WHAT IF MY HOME PROPERTY IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR PLACEMENT OF A HOUSING
UNIT?
FEMA is working to identify pads in commercial housing parks and can
place a unit there.

_I CAN’T GET A TEMPORARY HOUSING UNIT BECAUSE FEMA HAS DETERMINED MY
HOME IS IN THE FLOODWAY. CAN I PLACE MY OWN TRAVEL TRAILER IN A
FLOODWAY?_
FEMA cannot place a temporary housing unit in a floodway. If your site
is not feasible to place a temporary housing unit, FEMA may place a
temporary housing unit on a leased pad in a commercial park. If you
have purchased or leased your own travel trailer, you should check
with your local floodplain manager and permitting official for
guidance on placement in a floodway.

I’M A LOCAL OR COUNTY OFFICIAL. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY RESIDENTS
GET THEIR UNITS FASTER?
FEMA-provided housing is temporary.  FEMA works hard to provide your
residents with safe, secure and functional housing as quickly as
possible, but FEMA needs to know local government requirements for
unit placement. Working with FEMA to ensure local inspections and
permit approvals are completed promptly will help ensure residents can
occupy temporary housing as quickly as possible.  FEMA Division
Supervisors or Intergovernmental Affairs specialists are in the area
and are able to answer questions or concerns.

WHAT ARE THE PERMITTING ISSUES INVOLVED?
The State of North Carolina and FEMA are coordinating with
municipalities and counties regarding local ordinances, permitting,
zoning, transportation requirements, setbacks, utility connections and
inspections. FEMA must also ensure the site is compliant with
applicable building codes, environmental laws and floodplain
regulations.

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