Hawaii
Hawaii congressmembers asks for wavier for Maui fire survivors in FEMA housing program
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation has asked the Federal Management Agency (FEMA) to waive rent collection for survivors of the Maui fires in FEMA’s Direct Housing program.
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda led the letter in request to FEMA. U.S Sens. Brian Schatz, Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Rep. Ed Case signed the letter Friday.
Participating households began receiving rental bills on Saturday, which is required by law 18 months after a disaster is declared.
Survivors have until March 11 to file appeals on their rental decisions through their recertification advisor.
The letter cites the high cost of living coupled with the challenges of Maui’s economic recovery.
“The law gives FEMA the authority to broadly waive the collection of fair-market rent, and they’ve done that in the past in places like Louisiana,” Tokuda said in a statement. “All we are asking for is the same consideration so our people can focus on recovery and rebuilding.”
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