Supporting Philadelphia's Long-Term Recovery Efforts

HUD Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Joe DeFelice attended Philadelphia's Long-Term Recovery Committee meeting on June 1, 2018, discussing HUD's continued support of efforts to permanently house families who relocated to the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

"You are setting up a blueprint for future disasters," said DeFelice to recovery partners, stressing the importance of having a process in place to help displaced families when there is no disaster declaration issued to provide federal aid.

The committee is made up of nonprofit organizations and agencies across all levels of government, including FEMA, City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Salvation Army, Red Cross and organizations from the Hispanic community. There are six subcommittees: Housing, Case Management, Health, Education, Employment Opportunities and Economic Development.

HUD's Philadelphia Regional Office has supported the committee since its establishment and was among the group of agencies that staffed the city's Disaster Assistance Services Center when it opened in October.

###