Affordable Housing for Iowa Flood Victims

This week, I asked the FEMA Administrator for relief for 2008 Iowa flood victims who must soon move back into rental housing.  Earlier this month, FEMA extended the temporary housing program in Iowa, which is very helpful, especially for families who benefit from staying put with school kids until the end of the semester.  The issue is that FEMA also said fair-market rental rates for the temporary housing will take effect at the end of November.  This is a problem because fair-market rates have gone up substantially compared to pre-flood rates.  Rental property isn’t eligible for FEMA assistance, so it’s taken longer to get it rehabilitated and rebuilt.  The supply is limited and, as a result, rent is dramatically higher.

In a letter to the FEMA Administrator, I argued that families who will rely on this housing need a chance to adjust, with more time and potentially lower rates.  The end of November is an unreasonably short time-frame and puts families in a difficult position just as the holiday season arrives. I want to work with FEMA to come up with a feasible plan for these flood victims and plan to stay on top of this issue as part of a continuing effort to assist recovery from the 2008 floods and tornadoes.