The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) removed restrictions that limited Puerto Rico from obtaining certain recovery funds after Hurricane Maria. The agency also granted the country access to $8.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds to prepare against future disasters.
What We Know:
- The Biden Administration’s approval of these decisions is an attempt to ease tensions between the federal government and the U.S. Territory. Former President Donald Trump firmly opposed disaster funding for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Additionally, NBC News reports Trump failed to recognize the hurricane’s death toll.
“Puerto Rico needs to recover from past disasters and build resilience to future storms, while ensuring transparency and accountability… We are committed to an ongoing partnership with Puerto Rico to empower the island’s communities and help them build back better,” said Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge.
- Under the Trump Administration, HUD-approved $20 billion for the island’s reconstruction. Despite it being a historic amount, the office did not release the aid until 2019. It also placed restrictions and requirements as to how the country could access the funds.
- Biden eliminated restrictions demanding incremental grant obligations, a federal financial monitor to overlook the aid, and other supervision from Puerto Rico’s federally-imposed financial oversight board.
- Puerto Rico’s Governor, Pedro Pierluisi, welcomed the announcement on Twitter.
“Without a doubt, this is great news for PR. In addition, the review of a federal financial monitor for the allocation of additional funds is eliminated. This will allow the [local housing department] to streamline the work and invest effectively in the recovery of our Island,” he said in his first tweet. He continued his praise in another post.
- Puerto Rico Secretary of Housing William Rodriguez told the Miami Herald that HUD support would go towards a “multiplicity of programs.” One way the money will help is by addressing housing in flood-prone areas.
- In addition, the federal government has allocated around $69 billion to aid in natural disaster recovery. However, most of the money for housing and infrastructure relief has not entered the island’s community. As of right now, the Office of Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience says Puerto Rico only has $19 billion.
- The Miami Herald reported that HUD authorized $1.3 million in federal money and relaxed restrictions on $4.9 billion in February. The U.S. Department of Education granted nearly $1 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico’s schools’ emergency responses in March. The money will go towards preparing for both pandemics and natural disasters.
By lifting Trump-era restrictions on hurricane relief, the Biden Administration is validating the safety and security of the islanders. This will ensure Biden’s vision of easing tensions between the US and Puerto Rico will be realized.
