Natural Disaster Housing Reform Act of 2006

This bill proposes a significant shift in how the federal government manages housing for victims of major natural disasters. It would transfer the primary responsibility for long-term disaster housing from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

For citizens, this change is intended to streamline the process of finding stable housing after a disaster by utilizing HUD’s existing expertise in housing programs. The bill also expands the types of assistance available, allowing federal funds to be used for repairing existing rental units and constructing permanent or semi-permanent homes in remote areas. Additionally, it requires the government to prioritize cost-effective options like modular housing and mandates the creation of comprehensive evacuation plans for those receiving federal housing aid.