FEMA established a pilot program after Hurricane Sandy battered much of the Atlantic coast this fall in an effort to help homeowners remain in their damaged homes while permanent repairs were made so they didn’t have to seek shelter elsewhere and the program shows promise, the DHS inspector general has said.
It said the sheltering and temporary essential power program will reduce the number of people in shelters or in the transitional shelter assistance program, and that FEMA’s actions in promulgating this pilot program are consistent with authorizing legislation.
However, given the number of individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy, FEMA needs to maintain strong internal controls, the IG said.
It praised FEMA for its rapid response in designing the program less than a month after the hurricane hit and knocked out power for 166,649 residential customers across three States – New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut – among extensive other damage.
The IG cautioned FEMA to be mindful of the vulnerabilities associated with implementing pilot programs and to institute adequate internal controls to protect against those vulnerabilities.
