[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3252 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3252
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for
funding temporary housing in response to a major disaster, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2025
Mr. Moskowitz (for himself and Mr. Burchett) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for
funding temporary housing in response to a major disaster, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster Housing Flexibility Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 431. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING
ASSISTANCE.
``(a) Establishment.--The President, acting through the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall
establish an alternative block grant program for providing funds for
temporary housing assistance for individuals and households in the
event of a major disaster declared by the President under this title.
``(b) Assessment of Cost of Temporary Housing Assistance.--
``(1) Assessment required.--In the event of a major
disaster described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall
assess the cost of providing temporary housing assistance in
each impacted State in which individuals and households would
otherwise eligible for temporary housing assistance, including
reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the State
necessary to manage and distribute a block grant under this
section.
``(2) Consultation.--In making an assessment under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with each
applicable State to ensure that the amount of the assessment
reflects a reasonable estimate of the amount necessary to
provide for temporary housing assistance in an amount that
would otherwise be provided under--
``(A) section 408(c); or
``(B) other housing assistance programs identified
as needed by the State.
``(c) Program Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this
section, the President shall--
``(1) establish a process for a State to elect to apply for
a block under this section grant in lieu of the eligibility of
individuals and households to apply for assistance under
section 408(c); and
``(2) ensure that a State may request a single adjustment
to the amount provided in such block grant if the initial
amount is insufficient to provide individuals and households
assistance equivalent to the assistance otherwise provided
under such section.
``(d) Application.--To be eligible for a block grant under this
section, a State shall submit to the President an application in such
manner and containing such information as the President may require.
``(e) Applicability.--In any case in which a State receives a block
grant under this section, an individual or household located in the
area covered by a disaster declaration made by the President under
section 401 and covered by such grant shall not be eligible for
temporary housing assistance under section 408(c).
``(f) Remaining Funds.--Any funds provided under this section that
remain after the completion of recovery activities for which such funds
are provided may be used for preparedness or mitigation activities in
the State that are eligible for assistance under this Act.
``(g) Reports.--
``(1) State reports.--A State that receives a block grant
under this section shall submit to the Administrator--
``(A) not later than 120 days after the date on
which such grant was received, an initial disbursement
plan outlining anticipated uses of funds;
``(B) not later than 1 year after the submission of
the report under subparagraph (A), and annually
thereafter until all funds provided under the grant are
expended, a report containing--
``(i) a description of each individual or
household for which funds were spent;
``(ii) in any case in which the State has
remaining funds described under subsection (f),
the proposed use of such funds; and
``(iii) an assessment of the impact and
effectiveness of any expenditures of such
funds; and
``(C) not later than 180 days after all funds
provided under the grant have been expended, a final
report containing--
``(i) a description of all assistance
provided with such funds; and
``(ii) an analysis of the overall
effectiveness of the assistance provided under
such grant.
``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 12 months after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter,
the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the
implementation of the program established under this section
that includes--
``(A) a list of States that have elected to
participate in such program;
``(B) a description of how the Administrator has
implemented the program, including administrative
procedures and timelines;
``(C) an assessment of any challenges and barriers
to State participation and program implementation;
``(D) an evaluation of the accuracy and timeliness
of cost estimates used to determine grant amounts;
``(E) the average length of time required to make
cost estimates and disburse grant funds following a
declaration of a major disaster;
``(F) a review of the administrative impact on the
Administration and participating States, including
staffing and oversight capacity; and
``(G) recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or
administrative changes needed to--
``(i) improve delivery under such program;
``(ii) support administration of the
program; or
``(iii) enhance effectiveness of the
program.
``(h) Temporary Housing Assistance Defined.--The term `temporary
housing assistance' means any assistance provided to individuals and
households under section 408(c).''.
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