GAO review of cost savings associated with repair and rebuilding reforms

(a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a study on repair and rebuilding reforms carried out by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (b) Contents The Comptroller General shall include in the study conducted under subsection (a) the following: (1) A comprehensive review of the costs associated with providing direct housing assistance options in response to a major disaster or emergency, including temporary housing units, transportable temporary housing units, hoteling programs, and rental assistance. (2) An assessment of— (A) the relative cost and timeliness of providing permanent repairs or reconstruction of owner-occupied residences compared to the provision of direct housing assistance options, including an evaluation of both short-term expenditures and long-term Federal obligations; (B) the effect of permanent repairs or reconstruction assistance on recovery outcomes for survivors of major disasters, including time to reestablishment, housing stability, health and safety, and economic self-sufficiency, in comparison to the recovery outcomes for such survivors who received temporary sheltering; (C) the effect of permanent repairs or reconstruction on the ability of survivors of major disasters to remain in or return to predisaster communities, including implications for community cohesion and regional workforce stability; (D) the benefits and potential challenges of expanding the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in direct repair or reconstruction, including staffing, coordination with States or Tribal governments, and interagency collaboration; (E) the effect of repair and rebuilding reforms on long-term Federal disaster recovery liabilities, including the potential for cost avoidance in future disaster assistance, housing displacement, and repeat assistance cases; and (F) the adequacy of existing or proposed safeguards to protect Federal funds. (3) A review of the use of permanent repairs of owner-occupied residences and permanent housing construction by the Administrator, including best practices and lessons learned. (c) Report Upon completion of the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of such study, including findings and any recommendations for legislative or administrative action. (d) Repair and rebuilding reforms defined In this section, the term repair and rebuilding reforms means reforms to the provision of assistance under sections 403 and 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as a result of the amendments made by this Act.