The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding Direct Lease for temporary housing assistance following Severe Storms and related disasters in Kentucky (DR-4860-KY). FEMA seeks property management companies to lease properties, such as corporate apartments and vacation rentals, for eligible applicants displaced by the disasters. Interested parties must provide information about available properties complying with local, state, and federal standards and located within a 60-minute commuting distance from affected counties. The lease terms include providing exclusive use for a minimum of 18 months, with options for extension, and compliance with Fair Market Rent rates determined by HUD. Property management firms must handle tenant issues, property inspections, and maintenance, while property owners are responsible for building upkeep, maintaining mortgage payments, and ensuring legal compliance. Responses to this RFI are requested by August 20, 2025, to aid FEMA in assessing the capabilities of applicants. This initiative emphasizes the agency’s commitment to provide adequate housing solutions in disaster-impacted areas, while also encouraging small businesses to participate, contributing to a broader recovery effort.

The DR-4860-KY Direct Lease Program, initiated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), aims to provide temporary housing for individuals displaced by the presidentially declared disaster in Kentucky. The program requires Contractors to identify, manage, and lease turnkey residential properties in specified Kentucky counties, meeting federal housing standards. Key responsibilities include locating suitable properties, ensuring compliance with safety and accessibility standards, and implementing a property inventory tracking system. Contractors must conduct thorough unit inspections to validate that properties comply with HUD's requirements and manage applicant leasing processes, including background checks. FEMA is tasked with matching eligible applicants to available housing, executing lease agreements, and covering rental payments while the Contractors handle maintenance and services. The program emphasizes the importance of accessibility for applicants with disabilities and mandates that contractors waive credit checks and application fees for applicants. The period of performance for the contract is set for 12 months with an option for an additional six months. The document outlines security protocols for handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII) due to the sensitive nature of applicants' data. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to aiding disaster victims by securing housing assistance in response to severe natural disasters.

The Kentucky Direct Lease & Multi-Family Lease & Repair Webinar is a virtual event scheduled for August 11th at 1:00 PM, designed for property managers and owners of residential properties in Kentucky. The focus is on educating participants about leasing properties directly to FEMA in response to the need for ready-to-occupy properties. Interested attendees must pre-register online through the provided Zoom link to secure their participation. Upon registration, an email confirmation will be sent with access details for the webinar. The event will also feature American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to ensure accessibility. This initiative is part of the federal government's efforts to address housing needs during emergencies and highlights the collaboration between local property owners and FEMA as part of federal response strategies.

The document outlines inquiries made prior to an Industry Day focused on FEMA's Direct Lease program under disaster relief DR-4860-KY in Kentucky. Key points include the need for a high number of units across 14 declared counties with historical challenges in resource availability. FEMA’s preference for contractors includes acceptance of new small business primes and options for corporate or vacation rentals if compliant with HUD standards. The expected lease duration is 18 months with potential extensions. Clarifications sought pertain to furnished units, maintenance requirements, and tenant oversight protocols. FEMA remains flexible about contractor focus among counties but anticipates challenges based on historical data. The document primarily seeks to align contractor responses with FEMA's strategic operational needs and procurement processes while sharing essential information for navigating the upcoming RFI, solicitation, and award phases. Overall, the inquiries aim to facilitate effective partnership in addressing housing needs following the declared disaster.