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FEMA provides $1 billion to Florida hurricane survivors

By Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com

Orlo Vista flooding Homes remain flooded by Hurricane Ian in Orange County’s Orlo Vista neighborhood

By Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — As part of the $5.5 billion in federal support the Biden-Harris administration has provided to help families and communities in Florida jumpstart their recovery, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has contributed more than $1 billion to help Hurricane Ian survivors with rent, basic home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.

The FEMA Individual Assistance funds, which go directly to applicants has already helped 380,000 Floridians.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration has also approved $1.68 billion in low-interest disaster loans, while the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.29 billion in claims.

FEMA is also working on an extensive housing initiative, including funds for rent, home repairs, hotel stays, apartment leases, travel trailers, and manufactured housing units.

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According to a news release, more than 70,000 Florida households have been approved for $647 million in financial assistance for rent or basic home repairs, and more than 4,500 households have stayed in hotels temporarily under FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.

Under its Direct Lease, FEAM has placed eligible applicants in 313 apartment homes, and under its Multi-Family Lease and Repair program, FEMA is working to repair, lease and place hurricane survivors inside apartments.

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In addition to financial assistance for housing, 366 families have moved into travel trailers, manufactured housing units and apartments in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota and Volusia counties.

More temporary housing is being prepared for occupancy, as the agency continues to work with the state to support Floridians in their recovery efforts.

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