Homeowners With Drywall Damage are Denied FEMA Aid

Homeowners whose property has suffered substantial damage may often turn to their home insurance provider for financial assistance.

But there are some disasters that are not covered by such policies. Among these are flooding, earthquake and Chinese drywall damage. Thousands of homeowners in Florida have recently seen their property appraisals drop as a result of defective drywall, and have not been able to receive assistance from the product's manufacturers or installers. Health risks associated with the damage have caused some homeowners to evacuate their property.

State officials are now lobbying the agency to extend its coverage to homes with defective Chinese drywall, according to a report by the Insurance Journal. FEMA is not going along, saying that the incidents do not constitute an emergency or disaster that would qualify for federal aid.

David Halstead, interim director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, met with the state's governor and wrote a letter to FEMA appealing for assistance.

"These homeowners have suffered greatly and have no means by which to repair their home," he wrote.

The agency's response directed inquiries toward the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the nation's regulatory agency aimed at preventing death or injury from consumer products. The agency has investigated risks associated with defective Chinese drywall and conducted interviews with affected homeowners.

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