Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, released the following statement about FEMA’s “Direct Housing Mission” plan to assist Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas:

“Hurricane Harvey caused widespread devastation throughout the 18th Congressional District. Over the course of several days, more than 100,000 homes were severely damaged, tens of thousands of vehicles destroyed and many people made homeless. That is why I welcome FEMA’s new “Direct Housing Mission” plan to help Texas victims reeling from Hurricane Harvey secure decent housing.

“The “Direct Housing Mission” will be state administered and locally managed to enhance its efficacy in addressing the critical real-time needs of those in desperate need of a safe place to stay. Moving forward it is imperative to ensure the plan focuses on repairing homes and establishing opportunities for seniors and other displaced persons to transition into permanent apartment homes. This plan should not include endless rows of trailers and other temporary housing that have proven unsuitable for sustaining a decent quality of life.

“In the coming weeks, I will work closely with local authorities charged with distributing the more than $7 billion in Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery funds that were secured in the Hurricane Harvey relief package signed into law last Friday. But much more will be needed to help areas hit hard by this storm fully recover. The legislation I introduced last week calls for $174 billion in recovery funds, including $50 billion in Community Development Funds. We must not waiver in our commitment to comfort, support, and assist the many victims of this catastrophic storm.”