FAQ Understanding the Role of FEMA Recertification Advisors in Supporting Direct Housing Survivors

The recertification process is an important part of ensuring continued eligibility for FEMA's temporary housing programs. Recertification Advisors conduct monthly visits with Maui wildfire survivors in FEMA's temporary housing programs to ensure they remain eligible for the assistance. A key eligibility requirement is that survivors must actively work toward securing a permanent housing solution. While the responsibility of finding permanent housing rests with the survivor, it is essential that they keep their Recertification Advisor informed of any challenges or barriers they encounter during this process.

What is the role of FEMA Recertification Advisors?

Q. What are the responsibilities of Recertification Advisors?

A. Recertification Advisors serve as the primary point of contact for survivors in FEMA temporary housing. At monthly recertification meetings advisors monitor and guide the occupant in their recovery, ensure compliance with FEMA rules and regulations and deliver important FEMA communications to the occupant.

Q. How do Recertification Advisors support compliance to ensure survivors remain eligible for temporary housing?

A. The recertification advisors conduct monthly meetings to assess progress toward securing permanent housing based on a previously established permanent housing plan. During these meetings, survivors can also raise any questions or concerns they may have and inquire about available resources.

Q. How do Recertification Advisors support survivors with permanent housing?

A. Recertification Advisors confirm survivors remain eligible for FEMA housing assistance and that they are working towards their permanent housing solution. Advisors may refer survivors to organizations that can assist in identifying realistic options for permanent housing based on household composition and financial ability, the timeline for securing permanent housing and any barriers the household may be facing.

Q. What resources can the Recertification Advisor provide to survivors?

A. If there are unmet needs and additional difficulties, the Advisor can refer the household to resource programs through state, county and nonprofit organizations.

What is the role of survivors in the FEMA Direct Housing program?

Q. What do survivors need to provide their Recertification Advisors?

A. At monthly recertification meetings, survivors are expected to provide proof they are working towards their permanent housing solution. Proof includes evidence that the survivor applied to at least one permanent housing unit or has made progress on rebuilding their property since the last meeting.

Q. What are the other responsibilities of the survivor?

A. Survivors in FEMA temporary housing must take care of the provided housing unit and follow all property rules. As applicable, survivors must allow property management companies and/or maintenance crews to complete monthly checkups.

Q. Who is responsible for finding, applying to and securing permanent housing?

A. Ultimately, the survivor is responsible for the process of securing permanent housing.

Q. If the Recertification Advisor refers a household to another assistance source, what happens next?

A. The Recertification Advisor may coordinate with other housing entities, such as FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons, Disaster Case Managers, Department of Housing and Urban Development and/or other partners and nonprofits, to support any unmet needs of the survivor. After the connection is made, the survivor is responsible for taking actions to follow up and staying in contact with housing organizations. These organizations can assist in addressing barriers to transitioning to permanent housing.

It is the survivor's responsibility to secure permanent housing, and Recertification Advisors are available to assist throughout the process. Survivors are encouraged to continue utilizing their Recertification Advisors as a resource.

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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished impartially, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA's Civil Rights Office can be contacted at FEMA-OCR-ECRD [email protected] or toll-free at 833-285-7448.