Temporary Housing Assistance from HUD and FEMA
from the National Low Income Housing Coalition

Name of program  HUD KDHAP: Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program FEMA IHP: transitional housing assistance through the Assistance for Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
Administering agency HUD FEMA
Eligible households All must have FEMA ID number.

Displaced public housing residents, voucher participants, families from other HUD assisted programs (e.g., 202, 811, project-based Section 8, 236) and pre-disaster homeless individuals directly affected by the disaster. 

Only voucher assisted households who successfully ported out of the affected area and leased up in September will remain in the housing choice voucher system.  All others will be transitioned into the KDHAP program.

An evacuee’s residence in FEMA supplied housing makes that individual ineligible for either FEMA IHP or HUD KDHAP assistance. 
 

 All must have FEMA ID number.

All homeowners and renters who were not in HUD-assisted housing prior to Katrina. 

An evacuee’s residence in FEMA supplied housing makes that individual ineligible for either FEMA IHP or HUD KDHAP assistance.
Form of rental assistance Rental assistance through a KDHAP voucher.  Cash assistance.
Amount of 
assistance		 Value of the KDHAP voucher will be 100% of local FMR.  If rent is more than the FMR, the family will pay the difference out-of-pocket.  If actual rent is less than 100% of FMR, PHAs will keep the difference.  There is no family contribution towards rent provided rent does not exceed the FMR. Initial cash payment (check or direct deposit) of $2,358 to households.  This is the equivalent of three months of the national average of the fair market rent of $785/month for a two bedroom unit. After the first three months, the value of IHP rental assistance will change to reflect the local FMR.

Rental assistance is one component of the IHP assistance program.  The maximum amount of assistance for an individual or household for one disaster is $26,200.
 
Term of assistance Up to 18 months.  Initial lease terms can be from six to 12 months; leases will automatically terminate after 18 months. Initial $2,358 to cover first three months.  A total of 18 months of FEMA IHP rental assistance may be available to eligible households.
Accountability Program administered by local public housing authorities (PHAs).  PHAs will determine if rent is reasonable and complete Housing Quality Standards.  PHAs will receive administrative fees of $1,000 per household housed under KDHAP rent contract for housing search, temporary shelter and lease-up activities and 15% of the household’s Housing Assistance Payment contract for monthly ongoing administration. Any overpayments in the initial distribution (funds not actually spent on housing-related costs) must be repaid, credited against future rental assistance or deducted from any additional funds paid under the IHP.  IHP recipients must submit rental receipts. 
Rental search assistance PHAs will coordinate housing search assistance including transportation and temporary shelter while searching for housing.  PHAs will cover security deposits (capped at 100% of FMR for the family’s bedroom size). Presumably through FEMA.
Utilities PHAs will pay utility deposits (up to a total of $325).  Families will pay for any utilities not included in the rent. The IHP rental assistance funds do not cover any utility costs.
Expiration of assistance At expiration of KDHAP:
  • Voucher households will resume normal housing choice voucher program rules.
  • Public housing households may return to former PHA or receive voucher from former PHA if public housing unit is demolished or disposed.
  • Multifamily households will have the first right of refusal to return to their multifamily project or will get a housing choice voucher.
  • Homeless individuals: no next steps mentioned by HUD/FEMA.
 ?
Effective date October 1, 2005 September 26, 2005