The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeks landlords on St. John to join its direct lease program before the July 1st deadline. FEMA uses direct lease as a way to secure temporary lodging for residents whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by last year’s hurricanes.
This program authorizes FEMA to pay rent directly to the landlord.
On St. Croix and St. Thomas, FEMA has a sufficient inventory of direct rentals to accommodate displaced hurricane survivors, but the situation is different on St. John where there is a shortage of rental units.
FEMA matches approved units to eligible nearby survivors who need a temporary place to live while their hurricane damaged homes are repaired or they find more permanent housing. FEMA specialists continue to work with displaced survivors to help them implement permanent housing plans.
Units eligible for direct leasing must provide complete and independent living facilities for one or more people. This includes separate living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
To participate, landlords must email FEMA-USVI-DirectLease@fema.dhs.gov before July 1.
