FEMA can pay for repairs and improvements to multi-family housing, such as apartment complexes, if a property owner agrees to temporarily house disaster survivors for up to 18 months. The Multi-Family Lease and Repair Program is available to property owners of buildings or complexes that can be repaired within two months and for a moderate expense.

To qualify, a site must have been previously used as multi-family housing and contain 5 or more rental units. FEMA typically looks to locate and lease larger-scale complexes that can serve a considerable number of people in one location. The site must be able to be repaired within two months and cannot be located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

For more information about repairing your rental property and assisting flooding survivors, please call 225-382-1464 or email FEMA at fema-ia-dhops@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA’s Frequently Asked Questions about the Multi-Family Lease and Repair Program can be found here, and additional information is listed below:

  • FEMA identifies registered applicants in need of a rental property, reviews for eligibility and then connects the eligible applicant to participating property owners.
  • Under this program, there is no rental cost paid directly by the eligible applicant. The repair costs are funded by FEMA, and the value of these repairs is deducted from the value of the lease agreement between FEMA and the property owner.
  • Both the applicant and the property owner sign terms and conditions with FEMA. However, the applicant and the property owner enter into a standard lease agreement to which FEMA is not a party.
  • The property owner cannot subject FEMA applicants to different or additional criteria from other tenants and must comply with Fair Housing requirements. In addition, in cases where FEMA contracts directly with the property owner for repairs, the property owner must fulfill the terms of that agreement.
  • Applicants are required to maintain contact with FEMA and go through a recertification process to determine their continued eligibility. Applicants deemed ineligible for the continued assistance may be given the option to sign a standard lease with the property owner or vacate the rental unit.
  • Some forms of other federal funding may impact and/or limit a property’s eligibility for this program. Further approvals may be required.

More information can also be found here: http://gov.louisiana.gov/page/interim-housing-assistance.