Coastal News

Federal Support for Hurricane Ian Recovery Totals $5.2 Billion

Less than four months after the major disaster declaration for Hurricane Ian, the Biden-Harris Administration has provided $5.2 billion in financial assistance, disaster loans and flood insurance for Floridians.

These efforts have been supported by more than 4,000 responders from FEMA and other federal agencies who were on the ground since landfall.

Providing safe, secure, and sanitary housing is a priority for FEMA. The agency has housed 100 families in manufactured housing units and travel trailers, and 182 units are being made ready for occupancy. Site inspections have been completed for 1,235 more units. FEMA Direct Temporary Housing may be available for up to 18 months for eligible survivors.

In addition, more than 1,300 households with 3,200 members are currently staying in hotels temporarily at FEMA’s expense while they look for other lodging. Previously, 3,100 households participated in hotel stays under FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program and have found other lodging.

“This has been an extraordinary effort,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom McCool. “We are working closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management in their sheltering mission. We know how badly people are hurting and this brings a sense of urgency to our mission. We will be here until the mission is complete.”

Federal assistance to Florida includes:

  • $906 million in FEMA awards to 372,000 individuals and households, including $566 million for rental of temporary housing and basic repair of damaged dwellings
  • $1.5 billion in U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans
  • $2.3 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments to policy holders
  • $504 million in FEMA Public Assistance to reimburse local and state expenses for emergency response and debris removal

To meet survivors where they are, FEMA is operating 18 Disaster Recovery Centers in communities affected by Hurricane Ian. More than 118,000 people have visited these centers and 20 others that operated to help jumpstart survivors’ recovery from the storm. Another center in Dunbar opens Saturday.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have visited 345,000 homes and interacted with 153,000 individuals to help them apply for assistance.

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