Congress passed a major bipartisan housing bill last month that includes a provision to convert the Department of Housing and Urban Development's disaster recovery program into a permanent effort. The change aims to deliver aid faster after floods, fires, and other catastrophes. President Donald Trump has indicated he may not sign the measure.
The legislation focuses primarily on addressing housing shortages but also establishes a permanent disaster recovery fund and unit within HUD. It would allow spending to begin once Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance ends, rather than after years of delays. A sunset clause limits the program to three years initially.
Former HUD official Stan Gimont said the changes align key elements for quicker action. "All the tumblers are there to make it work now," he said. Carlos Martín of Resources for the Future noted the reform could shrink the gap between FEMA and HUD support from years to months.
The bill is set to become law at the end of July 10 if Trump does not veto it. Congress holds enough votes to override any veto. Delays in past grants, such as those tied to Hurricane Florence in 2018 and earlier events, have left communities waiting years for new housing and infrastructure.
