FEMA’s Temporary Housing for Wildfire Survivors Extended to February 2026, Supporting their Continued Recovery

News Release from FEMA, October 9, 2024

HONOLULU – At the request of the state of Hawaiʻi, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a one-year extension of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), including Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for survivors of the Maui wildfires.

The 18-month initial period of assistance for FEMA IHP was set to end Feb.10, 2025 but has now been extended to Feb. 10, 2026.

Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, FEMA may extend the period of assistance due to extraordinary circumstances. Last year’s wildfires caused unprecedented damage to Lahaina and impacted numerous households, businesses, communities and the infrastructure on Maui.

FEMA is working closely with the state of Hawai‘i, local officials and volunteers to help survivors in temporary housing find permanent solutions. Disaster case managers are also providing personalized assistance.

FEMA approved the Direct Lease as a form of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance in September 2023 and currently has 1,194 households occupying FEMA-provided units. 

During the extended period, survivors who continue to live in a FEMA-provided temporary housing unit are generally expected to work on their permanent housing plan and start paying rent, depending on their financial ability. The rent amount would be based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rent. 

FEMA will send occupants an advance notice of the rent requirement.

Occupants who provide documentation of their post-disaster income that meets or is below HUD’s very low-income limit will qualify for fully reduced rent of $50 per month without having to appeal and submit documentation of pre- or post-disaster housing costs. 

Occupants with household incomes above the HUD very low-income limit will only have to provide documentation of post-disaster housing costs for FEMA to evaluate the amount of rent to be charged based on their financial ability. 

FEMA will conduct outreach to assist occupants of temporary housing units with the documentation necessary to evaluate their ability to pay. This effort is designed to reduce the need for occupants to appeal the rent amount determined by FEMA. 

For more information on temporary housing, call the Individual Assistance Housing Hotline at 808-784-1600. Or contact 2-1-1 to reach the disaster case management program. 

You may also call FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline operators can assist you in many languages. If you use a relay service such as Video Relay Service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

You may get help in person at:
Lahaina Gateway (next to Ace Hardware)
Maui County Office of Recovery - West Maui
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

CNHA Office (next to Maui Mall)
Kākoʻo Relief & Aid Services Center
153 E. Kamehameha Ave. Suite 101

Kahului, HI 96732
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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. 

  *   *   *   *   *

FEMA APPROVES STATE REQUEST TO EXTEND TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR MAUI WILDFIRE SURVIVORS THROUGH FEBRUARY 2026

News Release from Director of Emergency Management, October 14, 2024

HONOLULU – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially approved a one-year extension of the Individuals and Households Programs (IHP) for the state of Hawaiʻi, providing crucial support to survivors of the devastating Maui wildfires. Under disaster declaration FEMA-4724-DR-HI, Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance will now be available for an additional 12 months, concluding on February 10, 2026.

“On behalf of our state, I want to express my gratitude to FEMA for this favorable response to my administration’s request. The ongoing support FEMA and our other federal partners have provided has been crucial for the recovery of our people.” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “I am reminded that when he visited Lahaina, President Joe Biden said he and his administration would be with our people for as long as it takes and we are humbly appreciative of that steadfast commitment.”

This extension reflects the recognition of the unprecedented challenges faced by the Maui community in the wake of the wildfires. Originally set to end on February 10, 2025, the enhanced support aims to offer both emotional and physical relief to survivors, allowing them more time to rebuild their lives and secure stable housing.

“We are grateful for FEMA’s swift action in approving our request to extend direct housing assistance,” said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator James Barros. “This additional year of support is vital for our Maui survivors and will help our community recover and heal from this disaster.”

FEMA’s decision ensures that all previously approved Individual Assistance programs under the IHP will remain in effect throughout this extension period.  The continued assistance includes FEMA’s direct housing assistance, financial housing assistance, and continued temporary housing assistance (rental assistance).

The state of Hawaiʻi and FEMA remain committed to working closely with local officials and stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition for survivors as they navigate the recovery process. This extension is a testament to the ongoing collaboration and support necessary to rebuild the community and restore hope for those impacted.

To obtain more information on FEMA’s disaster housing assistance, please contact the FEMA HELPLINE at 1-800-621-3362.

  *   *   *   *   *

SA: Temporary housing aid for Maui fire survivors is extended for a year

MN: Temporary FEMA housing support extended for Maui wildfire survivors to February 2026 -- Regarding the announced extension, US Sen. Brian Schatz said: “FEMA’s extension means survivors will continue to have homes for their families for the foreseeable future. But let’s be clear about what’s needed – building temporary housing so that survivors have stable roofs over their heads as they recover.”