For the past several decades, the people of Puerto Rico have come to expect that every few years we have to prepare to brace ourselves for what Mother Nature has in store. The hurricanes we have come to expect take innocent lives, knock out our power grid, and wreak havoc on our infrastructure and tourism business.
Being an island, getting resources to those who need it most expeditiously has always been challenging and we look to partners on the ground who have broad reach and established trust within our communities. And while those are sometimes in short supply, the faith-based community has always been a source of reliability in times of need.
However, for years, federal rules have prevented these partners from receiving disaster funding, hampering our response efforts — thankfully that has finally changed.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Federal Register Notice Vol. 89, No. 64 (April 2, 2024), 89 FR 22736, granting a new waiver determination that extends emergency relief funding through the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program to houses of worship in Puerto Rico.
This policy exception, tailored specifically for Puerto Rico, will enable faith-based organizations that are already recipients of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program to access additional disaster relief funding.
The waiver will streamline the process for accessing CDBG-DR funding through the Puerto Rico Department of Housing’s (PRDOH) Non-Federal Match Program to cover the non-federal cost share for FEMA’s PA Program, specifically for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of houses of worship damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and María.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
A resident cleans outside his home about two weeks after Hurricane Maria swept through the island on October 5, 2017 in San Isidro, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Following HUD’s groundbreaking policy change, faith-based organizations in Puerto Rico are poised to receive much-needed support in their ongoing recovery efforts. This adjustment could impact more than 90 eligible entities and unlock the potential of infusing more than $800 million of CDBG-DR funding into local construction projects.
This significant milestone comes after years of steadfast advocacy and determination by affected faith-based organizations, striving for fairness and equitable access in the allocation of disaster relief aid. It also underscores the lengthy and challenging struggle that led to this policy change.
In the wake of a violent hurricane season in 2017, these organizations collaborated at the forefront of the disaster recovery efforts and were crucial in providing aid to the most affected, remote, and vulnerable communities in Puerto Rico.
Many of these organizations also suffered their own surmountable losses, and despite acquiring approval to receive assistance under FEMA’s PA Program for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their houses of worship, they remained in desperate need of additional funding to cover significant costs. Therefore, this waiver signifies a crucial step forward in addressing the persistent challenges that faith-based organizations face in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Moreover, this move aligns with principles of fairness and inclusivity, enhancing disaster relief efforts by empowering these organizations to conduct infrastructure repairs and reconstruction and implement hazard mitigation measures.
It also fosters collaboration among stakeholders, paving the way for a more coordinated approach to disaster recovery and creating more resilient communities equipped to withstand and recover from future disasters.
It is important to recognize that many of these organizations played a pivotal role in the disaster recovery process after Hurricanes Irma and María. Oftentimes their churches, sanctuaries, and principal places of worship served as centers for support, shelter, and supply distribution, as well as gathering places for citizens to obtain information after the disasters. Their inclusion in this funding program reaffirms their commitment to aiding the communities they serve.
HUD’s announcement is a welcomed development. It demonstrates the unwavering dedication of government agencies, communities, activists, and lawmakers who have persistently advocated for equality and justice in disaster recovery efforts.
This adjustment goes beyond mere bureaucratic reshuffling; it represents a profound demonstration of solidarity with faith-based organizations on the island, acknowledging their irreplaceable role in nurturing resilience and aiding in the reconstruction of shattered lives and communities.
We owe immense gratitude to the Biden-Harris administration and the congressional leadership for spearheading this reform, which shows that bipartisan cooperation can lead to meaningful change. Looking ahead, let us ensure that every community, irrespective of creed or affiliation, receives the necessary support to weather adversity and emerge on the other side as a stronger and more resilient people.
Dávila-Pernas serves as executive director and Guilloty is policy advisor for the Puerto Rico office of Federal Affairs.
