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Program Description

FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) may provide Housing Assistance if you qualify. This may include direct or financial help with disaster-caused housing needs. Needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Financial Housing Assistance may include:

  • Rental Assistance: To help you rent short-term housing.
  • Lodging Expense Reimbursement: To pay you back for emergency stays in short-term lodging.
  • Home Repair Assistance: To repair the primary home you own and live in. This includes access routes you own, like driveways, roads, or bridges.
  • Home Replacement Assistance: To help replace the primary home you own and live in.

Direct Housing Assistance is not available for all disasters. But when available, if you had to leave your home, options may include:

  • Multi-family Lease and Repair: A multi-family rental property FEMA has leased and repaired for housing.
  • Transportable Temporary Housing Units: Manufactured homes FEMA offers for short-term housing.
  • Direct Lease: Homes FEMA directly leases for short-term housing.
  • Permanent Housing Construction: Home repairs or new construction FEMA contractors make in a declared area.

General Program Requirements

In most cases, you must meet all of the following to qualify:

  • You or someone who lives with you is a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
  • You pass FEMA’s proof of identity and occupancy.
  • You pass proof of ownership for Home Repair and Home Replacement Assistance.
  • Your primary home is in a Presidentially declared disaster area and you can’t access or live in it.
  • You have no insurance –or– have filed a claim, but it does not cover all of your losses.

Other terms and limits may apply.

Visit FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program page for more details.

Application Process

To start an online application, click Apply Online.

To apply by phone, call the FEMA Helpline at the phone number in the Point of Contact section.

You may also visit a local Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for help. Use the DRC Locator to find a center near you.

Last Updated: 01/05/2024