42 Usc 5174

42 USC 5174
NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 4, 2012 (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).

TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 68 - DISASTER RELIEF
SUBCHAPTER IV - MAJOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
§ 5174. Federal assistance to individuals and households
(a) In general
(1) Provision of assistance
In accordance with this section, the President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may
provide financial assistance, and, if necessary, direct services, to individuals and households in
the State who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs in
cases in which the individuals and households are unable to meet such expenses or needs through
other means.
(2) Relationship to other assistance
Under paragraph (1), an individual or household shall not be denied assistance under paragraph
(1), (3), or (4) of subsection (c) of this section solely on the basis that the individual or household
has not applied for or received any loan or other financial assistance from the Small Business
Administration or any other Federal agency.
(b) Housing assistance
(1) Eligibility
The President may provide financial or other assistance under this section to individuals and
households to respond to the disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households who are
displaced from their predisaster primary residences or whose predisaster primary residences are
rendered uninhabitable, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or
uninhabitable, as a result of damage caused by a major disaster.
(2) Determination of appropriate types of assistance
(A) In general
The President shall determine appropriate types of housing assistance to be provided under
this section to individuals and households described in subsection (a)(1) of this section based
on considerations of cost effectiveness, convenience to the individuals and households, and
such other factors as the President may consider appropriate.
(B) Multiple types of assistance
One or more types of housing assistance may be made available under this section, based on
the suitability and availability of the types of assistance, to meet the needs of individuals and
households in the particular disaster situation.
(c) Types of housing assistance
(1) Temporary housing
(A) Financial assistance
(i) In general
The President may provide financial assistance to individuals or households to
rent alternate housing accommodations, existing rental units, manufactured housing,
recreational vehicles, or other readily fabricated dwellings. Such assistance may include
the payment of the cost of utilities, excluding telephone service.
(ii) Amount
The amount of assistance under clause (i) shall be based on the fair market rent for the
accommodation provided plus the cost of any transportation, utility hookups, security
deposits, or unit installation not provided directly by the President.
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42 USC 5174
NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 4, 2012 (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).

(B) Direct assistance
(i) In general
The President may provide temporary housing units, acquired by purchase or lease,
directly to individuals or households who, because of a lack of available housing
resources, would be unable to make use of the assistance provided under subparagraph
(A).
(ii) Period of assistance
The President may not provide direct assistance under clause (i) with respect to a major
disaster after the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the declaration of
the major disaster by the President, except that the President may extend that period if
the President determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an extension would be
in the public interest.
(iii) Collection of rental charges
After the end of the 18-month period referred to in clause (ii), the President may charge
fair market rent for each temporary housing unit provided.
(2) Repairs
(A) In general
The President may provide financial assistance for—
(i) the repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure
(such as a private access route) damaged by a major disaster to a safe and sanitary living
or functioning condition; and
(ii) eligible hazard mitigation measures that reduce the likelihood of future damage to
such residences, utilities, or infrastructure.
(B) Relationship to other assistance
A recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the
assistance can be met through other means, except insurance proceeds.
(3) Replacement
(A) In general
The President may provide financial assistance for the replacement of owner-occupied private
residences damaged by a major disaster.
(B) Applicability of flood insurance requirement
With respect to assistance provided under this paragraph, the President may not waive any
provision of Federal law requiring the purchase of flood insurance as a condition of the receipt
of Federal disaster assistance.
(4) Permanent housing construction
The President may provide financial assistance or direct assistance to individuals or households
to construct permanent or semi-permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United
States and in other locations in cases in which—
(A) no alternative housing resources are available; and
(B) the types of temporary housing assistance described in paragraph (1) are unavailable,
infeasible, or not cost-effective.
(d) Terms and conditions relating to housing assistance
(1) Sites
(A) In general

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42 USC 5174
NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 4, 2012 (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).

Any readily fabricated dwelling provided under this section shall, whenever practicable, be
located on a site that—
(i) is complete with utilities;
(ii) meets the physical accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities; and
(iii) is provided by the State or local government, by the owner of the site, or by the
occupant who was displaced by the major disaster.
(B) Sites provided by the President
A readily fabricated dwelling may be located on a site provided by the President if the
President determines that such a site would be more economical or accessible.
(2) Disposal of units
(A) Sale to occupants
(i) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a temporary housing unit purchased under
this section by the President for the purpose of housing disaster victims may be sold
directly to the individual or household who is occupying the unit if the individual or
household lacks permanent housing.
(ii) Sale price
A sale of a temporary housing unit under clause (i) shall be at a price that is fair and
equitable.
(iii) Deposit of proceeds
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the proceeds of a sale under clause (i) shall
be deposited in the appropriate Disaster Relief Fund account.
(iv) Hazard and flood insurance
A sale of a temporary housing unit under clause (i) shall be made on the condition that
the individual or household purchasing the housing unit agrees to obtain and maintain
hazard and flood insurance on the housing unit.
(v) Use of GSA services
The President may use the services of the General Services Administration to accomplish
a sale under clause (i).
(B) Other methods of disposal
If not disposed of under subparagraph (A), a temporary housing unit purchased under this
section by the President for the purpose of housing disaster victims—
(i) may be sold to any person; or
(ii) may be sold, transferred, donated, or otherwise made available directly to a State or
other governmental entity or to a voluntary organization for the sole purpose of providing
temporary housing to disaster victims in major disasters and emergencies if, as a condition
of the sale, transfer, or donation, the State, other governmental agency, or voluntary
organization agrees—
(I) to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of section 5151 of this title; and
(II) to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance on the housing unit.
(e) Financial assistance to address other needs
(1) Medical, dental, and funeral expenses
The President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance under
this section to an individual or household in the State who is adversely affected by a major disaster
to meet disaster-related medical, dental, and funeral expenses.
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42 USC 5174
NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 4, 2012 (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).

(2) Personal property, transportation, and other expenses
The President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance under
this section to an individual or household described in paragraph (1) to address personal property,
transportation, and other necessary expenses or serious needs resulting from the major disaster.
(f) State role
(1) Financial assistance to address other needs
(A) Grant to State
Subject to subsection (g) of this section, a Governor may request a grant from the President
to provide financial assistance to individuals and households in the State under subsection (e)
of this section.
(B) Administrative costs
A State that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) may expend not more than 5 percent
of the amount of the grant for the administrative costs of providing financial assistance to
individuals and households in the State under subsection (e) of this section.
(2) Access to records
In providing assistance to individuals and households under this section, the President shall provide
for the substantial and ongoing involvement of the States in which the individuals and households
are located, including by providing to the States access to the electronic records of individuals and
households receiving assistance under this section in order for the States to make available any
additional State and local assistance to the individuals and households.
(g) Cost sharing
(1) Federal share
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share of the costs eligible to be paid using
assistance provided under this section shall be 100 percent.
(2) Financial assistance to address other needs
In the case of financial assistance provided under subsection (e) of this section—
(A) the Federal share shall be 75 percent; and
(B) the non-Federal share shall be paid from funds made available by the State.
(h) Maximum amount of assistance
(1) In general
No individual or household shall receive financial assistance greater than $25,000 under this
section with respect to a single major disaster.
(2) Adjustment of limit
The limit established under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.
(i) Verification measures
In carrying out this section, the President shall develop a system, including an electronic database, that
shall allow the President, or the designee of the President, to—
(1) verify the identity and address of recipients of assistance under this section to provide
reasonable assurance that payments are made only to an individual or household that is eligible
for such assistance;
(2) minimize the risk of making duplicative payments or payments for fraudulent claims under
this section;
(3) collect any duplicate payment on a claim under this section, or reduce the amount of subsequent
payments to offset the amount of any such duplicate payment;
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42 USC 5174
NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 4, 2012 (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).

(4) provide instructions to recipients of assistance under this section regarding the proper use of
any such assistance, regardless of how such assistance is distributed; and
(5) conduct an expedited and simplified review and appeal process for an individual or household
whose application for assistance under this section is denied.
(j) Rules and regulations
The President shall prescribe rules and regulations to carry out this section, including criteria, standards,
and procedures for determining eligibility for assistance.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 408, as added Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 106(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4702; amended Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1566; Pub. L. 109–295, title
VI, §§ 685, 686, 689 (c), 689d, 696 (c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1447–1449, 1452, 1461.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 5174, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 404, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 154, related to temporary housing
assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(d).
A prior section 408 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to section 5178 of this title and to a note set out under section
5178 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707.

Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(c)(1), inserted “, or with respect to individuals with disabilities,
rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable,” after “uninhabitable”.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689d(1), inserted at end “Such assistance may include the payment of the
cost of utilities, excluding telephone service.”
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689d(2), inserted “security deposits,” after “hookups,”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–295, § 686(1), struck out subpar. (C) which read as follows: “The amount of assistance
provided to a household under this paragraph shall not exceed $5,000, as adjusted annually to reflect changes in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.”
Subsec. (c)(3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 109–295, § 686(2), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and struck out former subpar. (B)
which read as follows: “The amount of assistance provided to a household under this paragraph shall not exceed
$10,000, as adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by
the Department of Labor.”
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–295, § 685, in introductory provisions, inserted “or semi-permanent” after “permanent”
and struck out “remote” before “locations”.
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(ii), (iii). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(c)(2), added cl. (ii) and redesignated former cl. (ii) as (iii).
Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 109–295, § 696(c), added subsec. (i) and redesignated former subsec. (i) as (j).
2000–Pub. L. 106–390 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text provided for temporary
housing assistance through provision of temporary housing, temporary mortgage and rental payment assistance,
expenditures to repair or restore owner-occupied private residential structures made uninhabitable by a major disaster
which are capable of being restored quickly, and transfer of temporary housing to occupants or to States, local
governments, and voluntary organizations, required notification to applicants for assistance, and set out location factors
to be given consideration in the provision of assistance.

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(d), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1571, provided that: “The amendments made by this section
[amending this section and section 5192 of this title and repealing section 5178 of this title] take effect 18 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 2000].”

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