Bipartisan Legislation Expands FEMA Disaster Assistance to Community Associations
Community Associations Institute (CAI) applauds Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) for introducing H.R. 5337, the Disaster Assistance Equity Act, one month following the seventh anniversary of Superstorm Sandy's landfall, the impact of which communities in New York and along the East Coast are still recovering.
“In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, thousands of Americans were shocked to learn that they could not restore their co-ops and condos to a livable condition because their common areas were not eligible for disaster assistance," said Congressman Nadler. "Seven years later, hundreds of thousands of Americans across the nation have come to face that same realization in the wake of natural disasters. A natural disaster doesn't care what type of home you live in, and FEMA should treat all homeowners fairly when helping them rebuild. I'm proud to introduce the Disaster Assistance Equity Act, a critical bill that will ensure every American can rebuild their home and their lives in the aftermath of natural disasters."
CAI has advocated for years that the Federal Emergency Management Agency expand access to disaster relief to community associations. CAI believes all Americans, regardless of the form of housing, have the right to benefit from the agency's response, recovery, and mitigation resources.
“We are delighted to see bipartisan support for this important policy issue that corrects the inequity of the system for the 73.5 million people living in condominiums, housing cooperatives, and homeowners associations," says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, CAI's chief executive officer.
In a recent congressional briefing, CAI's chair of the Government and Public Affairs committee Peter Kristian, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, general manager of Hilton Head Plantation in South Carolina explained that the bill is not only for coastal communities hit by hurricanes but also interior states that experience mudslides, wildfires, earthquakes and tornadoes. “I am personally grateful to Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC) for his co-sponsorship of the Disaster Equity Assistance Act. Rep. Cunningham is a true friend of community associations in South Carolina, and he clearly demonstrates his commitment to represent his constituents on this important legislation that needs the urgent attention of our nation's capital."
Read more about how CAI is advocating for disaster response and recovery at www.caionline.org/FEMA.
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About Community Associations Institute
Since 1973, Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been the leading provider of resources and information for homeowners, volunteer board leaders, professional managers, and business professionals in 350,000 homeowners associations, condominiums, and co-ops in the United States and millions of communities worldwide. With nearly 45,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 36 legislative action committees and 64 affiliated chapters within the U.S., Canada, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa, as well as with housing leaders in several other countries, including Australia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. A global nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, CAI is the foremost authority in community association management, governance, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in community associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit us at www.caionline.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @caisocial.