FEMA to offer additional year of housing help for Maui wildfire survivors
Date
10/16/2024 5:49:36 AM
(MENAFN) Survivors of last year's devastating Lahaina wildfire in Maui will receive an additional year of housing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The August 8, 2023, wildfire, the deadliest in the U.S. in a century, resulted in at least 102 fatalities and displaced around 12,000 residents.
FEMA has focused on providing rental assistance to those without insurance coverage for fire losses. Currently, the agency is directly leasing homes for over 1,200 households and offering subsidies to another 500 families, primarily in Kihei, located 25 miles from Lahaina. This extension of housing assistance was initially set to conclude in February 2025 but has now been extended to February 10, 2026.
The aftermath of the wildfire has posed significant housing challenges, with many survivors moving frequently between temporary accommodations, such as hotel rooms. A recent report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization highlighted the rising unemployment and poverty rates among survivors, revealing that nine out of ten respondents lost their homes in the disaster.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green expressed gratitude for FEMA's support, emphasizing its importance for the recovery of the affected communities. He referenced President Joe Biden's commitment to assist Maui residents during his visit to the area, reaffirming the administration's dedication to supporting those impacted by the tragedy.
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