Bill Overview
Title: Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022
Description: This bill makes changes in the process for seeking assistance following a major disaster. Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish and maintain a web-based interagency electronic information sharing system, to be known as DisasterAssistance.gov, to facilitate the administration of a universal application for direct federal disaster assistance and for other specified purposes. The President may provide (1) assistance to respond to the disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households who are displaced from their predisaster primary residence that is damaged by a major disaster (currently, such residences must be rendered uninhabitable); and (2) direct assistance for repairs and for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property or future damage. FEMA may (1) enter into a cooperative agreement to provide funding to a state agency to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to postdisaster recovery funding and resources; and (2) reimburse a state, tribal, or local government for certain costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel. The bill extends FEMA's authority to implement state-managed housing assistance as a pilot program until the issuance of final regulations. FEMA must conduct a study and develop a plan to address the challenges associated with providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies. The Government Accountability Office must report on assistance issues, including improper and potentially fraudulent federal disaster assistance.
Sponsors: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Target Audience
Population: People displaced or affected by major disasters needing assistance
Estimated Size: 7500000
- The bill is focused on improving the process for obtaining federal disaster assistance, which primarily impacts individuals affected by major disasters.
- Disaster survivors who are displaced from their homes due to disasters are directly targeted by the provisions of the bill.
- Those affected include individuals needing temporary housing and those seeking assistance for repairs and hazard mitigation.
- The creation of DisasterAssistance.gov aims to streamline assistance for these individuals on a federal level.
Reasoning
- The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022 primarily impacts individuals who have been displaced or significantly affected by major disasters. It streamlines processes to access federal disaster assistance through the creation of DisasterAssistance.gov, allowing these individuals quicker and potentially more efficient access to necessary resources.
- Given the average number of households annually requiring temporary housing assistance and the allocation of funds, the policy is likely to have significant impacts on the wellbeing of those directly affected by disasters by facilitating faster recovery and mitigation processes.
- There are limitations due to the budget, which constrains the reach and scope of the assistance, making targeted aid and efficient resource allocation crucial. Not everyone affected by disasters will qualify or be equally impacted by the changes.
- The policy also addresses fraudulent activities, aiming to ensure that the federal disaster assistance reaches the right people, thereby increasing overall trust in the system.
Simulated Interviews
Office Manager (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new web-based application should make it easier for people like me to submit claims and track assistance status.
- Being able to access direct repair assistance without a total uninhabitability requirement is a positive step.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Houston, Texas)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a win for people needing funds for immediate repairs to get back to normal life faster.
- I hope the streamlined process means fewer bureaucratic delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Freelance Graphic Designer (Miami, Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The interagency system sounds good but relies on technology I sometimes struggle with due to limited internet access post-disaster.
- Renting a temporary space is critical, and any slowdowns in assistance hurt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Teacher (Calabasas, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Direct assistance for hazard mitigation is critical for future peace of mind.
- More transparency in how assistance is allocated would be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Paradise, California)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see a study focused on housing assistance for people like me.
- I am worried about navigating another online system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Joplin, Missouri)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy will not only help with my house but also with my business indirectly.
- We need quick action post-disaster, not bogged down in paperwork.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Emergency Response Coordinator (Miami, Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Easier website navigation could improve our coordination with FEMA.
- The policy could stretch our resources thin if not managed properly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (New York, New York)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Simplified application processes may be more accessible for seniors.
- Anticipate some problems with fraudulent claims affecting genuine ones.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Mechanic (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to clear information about funds on a state level is crucial.
- Hopeful for mitigation assistance to prevent future displacements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Nurse (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see how the system affects so many people and anything to streamline efforts is positive.
- Fraud detection is a good step but must be balanced with fast relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $600000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $800000000)
Year 2: $620000000 (Low: $510000000, High: $830000000)
Year 3: $640000000 (Low: $520000000, High: $860000000)
Year 5: $670000000 (Low: $540000000, High: $900000000)
Year 10: $720000000 (Low: $580000000, High: $970000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the web-based application system on reducing processing times and fraud.
- The capacity of state agencies to handle additional funding and responsibilities effectively.
- Potential variability in costs based on the frequency and severity of disasters each year.