Contesting your Substantially Damaged Classification after a disaster. FEMA Verified Loss FVL or local municipality determination.
FAQ#: 99 published 3-17-2019
To contest any Substantially Damaged (SD) classification based on FEMA Verified Loss (FVL) or your local municipality do the following.
Have a contractor write you a quote for repairs that are less than 50% of the fair market value pre-disaster.
Provide a recent appraisal of the value of the home that puts repairs below 50%. If your appraisal is not high enough have a realtor offer a market value pre-disaster in writing.
Take this information to you city / parish / county planning and zoning office and they will waive your Substantially Damaged classification and issue you a repair permit.
On a final note, if you learn about HUD CDBG-DR Grants and have a substantially damaged home you may qualify for a grant that may fully fund the elevation and reconstruction of your home. This is important for you to determine now before you ask to cancel your SD classification. (Note: If you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) your flood insurance will go up if you don't elevate above your last major flood stage, some here that elevated are paying $350 per year while others are over $5000 per year.)
We have some information on this and our group Restore La Program Info Exchange has several members that waived the SD and several that are using the SD FVL to reconstruct a new home.
We have online information here, look up under FEMA and OCD-DRU for more information. PM me if you need specific details.
I have some information about NC and FL recovery because of the contractor here in Louisiana. If you need to put together a group specific for your area I would suggest you do and share your experiences. Your state, FEMA, OCD, HUD CDBG-DR will offer you little information. Talk to those that know. Read our Task Force meeting notes.
Good Luck! Keep the Faith and reach out to others like you are doing here at Facebook Group Stop FEMA now !!!
If your manufactured home was damaged or developed unhealthy living conditions after a declared disaster due to the disaster can I receive a grant to replace my mobile home?
FAQ#: 443 published 1-23-2023 updated 2-2-2023 1 min. 26 seconds read
No inspection from FEMA? Registered and reported Minor Damage but able to live in my home? Only Remote Telephone Inspection? Home Repair Funds less than actual repairs?
FAQ#: 454 published 12-27-2022 updated 1-12-2023 1 min. 9 seconds read
How to use our Research Based Learning pages to better understand a subject, to collect the missing pieces of the puzzle, to start a research project or to close out your research project. Resources published here are parts or segments of..
FAQ#: 1 published 12-30-2018 updated 12-12-2020 1 min. 55 seconds read
For some households, the information I provide helps them get back in their homes. Others I've had a hand in helping them recovery from some of their disaster debt burden. In any case, when you use the information I provide and it's helpful and makes you more successful with your disaster rebuild or new construction then feel free to contribute what you can and when you can. It helps with the hours of unpaid research and reading.
SBA Updates data processed from research between 11-2019 and 12-2019
FAQ#: 183 published 1-18-2020 3 min. 25 seconds read
If you need a quote for a new manufactured home for the Louisiana Restore program send a note with your old VIN number and your status in the program. All we can do is help you get the quotes for the MHU you are looking to replace. Contact me
State of Louisiana Restore LA Program managed by the OCD-DRU says it will not pay interest on SBA loans.
FAQ#: 181 published 12-15-2019 2 min. 40 seconds read
I am asked often if I would do carpentry work in my area. I'm getting too slow to actually handle most of the jobs I'm asked to do. I'd like to handoff the work to a carpenter that's better than me. I'm always looking for a good carpenter helper for projects I take on. Contact me and get listed and working.