2019-09-18 Memo to Tom Travis re FEMA Individual Assistance Extension Request Justification

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4°��sv of N ,. Wil Okabe �'��'%i Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor • —-�M -_ — Barbara J. Kossow r rE OF................ .• Deputy Managing Director C11uuf r nfc. . i1txaf`C ®ffre aft r Alapr 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 September 18, 2019 MEMORANDUM TO: Thomas Travis, State Disaster Recovery Coordinator (via Email only— Thomas.l.travis(ahawaii.gov ) FROM: Harry Kim, Mayor (//c....7 SUBJECT: FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) Extension Request Justification Prepared by: County of Hawaii The County of Hawaii requests a 6-month extension of FEMA Individual Assistance to support recovery from the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The extension is needed for the following reasons: • For some, the disaster is not completely over. As many as 100 homes are still inaccessible, and, therefore, unable to receive FEMA inspections that would qualify residents for assistance programs. o The reopening of highway 132 and other kipuka (isolated areas), anticipated within the next 3-6 months, will enable access to homes still lava-locked by the 2018 flow fields such that they can be inspected. • Many residents are still in limbo with regard to long-term solutions. Given the long duration of the event and the complexities associated with partial or total losses, residents are still struggling to cobble together interim solutions. o For example, many residents are still living in transitional rental or family homes, while they await options for long-term relocation and rebuilding. o The assistance extension will help get them through 'the gap,' while County Case Management and related assistance is deployed and the County's Recovery Strategic Plan is completed and activated. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.