HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-18 Memo to Tom Travis re FEMA Individual Assistance Extension Request Justification 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.
Memo to Tom Travis
September 17, 2019
Page 2
• The eruption compounded an existing affordable housing shortage. In the
absence of federal assistance and before the county can stand up its assistance
programs, residents are subject to being priced out of their transitional options.
Related work in progress as of September 2019 includes:
Initiative Status Next Steps Relevance
Case Management Kickoff FEMA trainings and Connect with survivors to
public understand and address
announcements remaining unmet household
(Sept-Oct 2019) needs.
Temporary Roads In- Complete and reopen Previously isolated homes
Progress Hwy 132 temporary accessible for FEMA
access road and inspection.
access to kipuka
(Oct-Dec 2019)
Recovery Strategic In- Draft anticipated by Define and implement
Plan progress end of 2019 followed recovery strategies,
by decision-maker scenarios, projects, and
approval (Dec 2019 — programs.
Jan 2020)
Mahalo for your consideration.
c: Diane Ley, Research & Development
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.