What is Direct Lease?

Direct Lease is a form of Temporary Direct Housing assistance that allows FEMA to lease existing, ready-to-occupy

residential properties for survivors whose housing needs cannot be met with other forms of temporary housing

assistance. FEMA will pay the property management company/vendor the cost of rent, while the survivor is

responsible for utility costs and other expenses not covered in the lease.

Interested property management companies are asked to provide the following information:

• Property name, location, property owner name and phone number.
• Number of units (a separate bathroom, kitchen and living space) available for FEMA's exclusive use and the number of bedrooms each unit contains.
• Number of units compliant with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards and/or features in unit(s) that provide accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
• Confirmation that the property owner is current and up to date with the property’s mortgage payments.
• Confirmation that the property is readily available for applicants to move in.
• History of the building’s use (e.g., dates used as a rental, etc.), if applicable.
• Any applicable pet restrictions, such as what pets are allowed in the units and any restrictions on number of pets or size of pets, and any applicable pet deposits.
• Number of parking spaces (including accessible and van-accessible) available for each unit, if applicable.
• Rental range for property, including any associated fees.
• Utilities included in rent.
• Number of any units fully furnished.

FEMA will pay for utilities that are included in the monthly rent established by the property owner; however, other expenses charged by the property management company will not be covered by FEMA, such as application fees and pet deposits. Find out more!