The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2017 (H.R. 4557) proposes to permanently authorize the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. On June 7, HR 4557 passed the House Financial Services Committee.

Aside from permanently authorizing CDBG-DR, the bill would also:

  • Require FEMA to share with HUD – and make publicly available – all data collected and analyzed during the course of disaster recovery
  • Prohibit HUD from reducing the percentage of CDBG-DR funds that must benefit low and moderate income households below 70% unless there is a “compelling need.”
  • Requiring financial controls that do not only focus on preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, but to ensure that all eligible households are approved for assistance and are provided the full amount of assistance for which they are eligible.
  • Requiring infrastructure is built to meet minimum standards for protection from floods and storm water, and is built to at least 2 feet above the base flood level.
  • Requiring state action plans to outline a credible plan for ensuring compliance with fair housing laws.
  • Prioritizing a one-for-one replacement of all damaged or destroyed federally assisted housing.