We encourage individuals and families to continue working on their permanent housing plan. Regular progress on their plan will help them remain in FEMA housing until their long-term housing goal is met.

As wildfire survivors continue to recover, FEMA is here to support their temporary housing needs and assist their search for permanent housing. All survivors receiving Direct Temporary Housing Assistance from FEMA must establish a permanent housing plan.  During their regularly scheduled monthly Recertification meetings, survivors must demonstrate progress toward their permanent housing plan.

FEMA’s temporary programs are designed to help households during their most critical time of need so they can more easily navigate the road to recovery and secure permanent housing. “Permanent housing” refers to the housing option survivors choose once they transition out of FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Assistance program.

A permanent housing plan must be realistic and achievable within a reasonable timeframe and should reflect the survivor’s pre-disaster housing situation. A reasonable timeframe includes sufficient time for securing funds, locating a permanent dwelling, and moving into that dwelling.

Households without a plan, or whose goals have changed, will be given information and tools to help them find available housing. Recertification Advisors can provide lists of potential permanent housing options on Maui and can help survivors set realistic goals that align with their financial means.

As a requirement of FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Program, occupants must provide evidence of the steps they are taking to secure permanent housing.

Ways to show permanent housing progress may include:

• Committing to and beginning to repair or rebuild their pre-disaster home, finding and purchasing a new residence, or finding and leasing an available rental unit.
• Providing evidence of progress — such as invoices for repairs, contract for rebuilding or a lease agreement for a new home —or showing that delays are outside of their control.
• Achieving long-term housing plan goals in a reasonable time frame.
• Fulfilling requests to communicate and meet with FEMA Recertification Advisors on a regular basis.

FEMA expects all those receiving assistance to obtain and occupy permanent housing at the earliest possible time. Continued assistance is based on need and whether a viable permanent housing option is available or achievable.

Recipients are advised to keep ALL receipts, canceled checks and money orders showing proper use of FEMA Repair Funds and previous Rental Assistance.

Maintaining open communication and collaboration with FEMA is vital to continue receiving assistance as needed and can ease difficulties in securing permanent housing. Survivors must stay in touch with their Recertification Advisors and use them as a resource when seeking permanent housing. Survivors may also call the Individual Assistance Housing Hotline at 808-784-1600 or the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Visit FEMA staff in-person at:

·       Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center located at 153 E Kamehameha Ave., Suite 101 in Kahului. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Maui County’s Office of Recovery at the Lahaina Gateway located at 325 Keawe St. in Lahaina, next to the Ace Hardware Store. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires.  

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