Republicans representing North Carolina urged President Biden to waive regulations and let hurricane-wracked residents receive temporary housing as winter nears.
The foursome of Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis and Reps. Chuck Edwards and Virginia Foxx on Friday wrote a letter saying many of their constituents still can’t return to their homes, damaged by Hurricane Helene in September and October. Roughly 100,000 homes were ruined by Helene in Western North Carolina.
“Concerningly, temperatures are beginning to drop and we are hearing reports that residents are struggling to receive adequate temporary shelter that is safe for winter and close to their property,” they wrote.
The lawmakers requested that Mr. Biden direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide temporary housing resources, including travel trailers and manufactured homes, but acknowledged that the resources would be deployed in places that have been designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas.
FEMA regulations prevent such shelters from being deployed in areas prone to flooding, like those devastated by Helene. The lawmakers contended that while the policy was designed to protect homeowners waiting to return to their homes from the risk of flooding, it also prevented them from staying on their property.
They pointed to the agency’s decision in 2023 that “the only feasible option to place temporary housing units” was to allow property in Special Flood Hazard Areas in Florida to participate in FEMA’s direct housing program.
“Many of the homeowners in Western North Carolina who need temporary housing live in FEMA designated Special Flood Hazard Areas,” they wrote. “We have heard reports that homeowners who understandably want to remain on their property are being denied resources and have been forced to live out of tents,” they wrote. “As temperatures begin to drop, this will no longer be an option.”
Their request came after Mr. Biden requested that Congress approve nearly $100 billion in disaster aid, $40 billion of which would be directed toward FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.