Planning for a natural disaster is a constant process. Although no disaster plan is ever perfect, localities that regularly review and update policies and procedures, staffing and stakeholders’ roles, and funding options are better able to manage the response and recovery effort when a disaster does strike. One of the key components to any… Read more
Regardless of the disaster recovery grant program, homeowner applicant appeals are inevitable. There will be homeowners who have legitimate appeal requests, and those that know their appeal won’t go through but expend the effort regardless. Through years of experience and thousands of applications processed, IBTS has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and… Read more
FEMA’s applicant guide to the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides a comprehensive user’s manual to the IHP program, from eligibility requirements, to the appeals process, FAQs and more. FEMA IHP applicants can use this both as a guide through the application process, and to gain a better understanding of the program and program requirements… Read more
This FEMA fact sheet describes the types of services available under FEMA’s , which include housing assistance and other needs assistance. The IHP program provides financial help or direct services to disaster survivors who have necessary expenses and serious needs but are unable to meet these needs through other means. Fact Sheet: What is FEMA’s… Read more
If you choose not to register with FEMA, you disqualify yourself from receiving federal disaster assistance. Potential FEMA applicants should read through this informational article from FEMA, which outlines the reasons why homeowners should register with FEMA assistance even if they think their damages and losses won’t be covered. Don’t Disqualify Yourself By Not… Read more
FEMA provides funding to individuals and households following a major disaster in the form of housing assistance and funding for other disaster-caused expenses. Receiving these funds can help you recover following a disaster. However, it is important to understand how the program works. First, review eligibility requirements. To be eligible for funds, all of… Read more
Unlike typical construction projects, performing disaster recovery work under HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program comes with scope of work, time and funding constraints in order to maintain program compliance. Be sure you and your subcontractors have a clear understanding of CDBG-DR program requirements prior to communicating with homeowner applicants or… Read more
Homeowner appeals during the recovery process are inevitable and time-consuming, they should be a last resort for applicants. IBTS has processed close to 2,500 homes for programs receiving funding from the the HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, and been able to mitigate nearly all homeowner appeals — saving the locality and the applicant valuable… Read more
Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. To reduce costs and accelerate the process, FEMA introduced debris removal alternative procedures. Yet despite cost benefits and incentives for quicker debris removal, few localities have taken advantage… Read more
Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. The first step in a long road to recovery, a quick debris removal can set the tone for the entire recovery process and build the community’s confidence in… Read more
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