Maui Faces Housing Crisis as FEMA Rental Aid Nears Expiration Amid Disaster Recovery Uncertainty

As Maui confronts the aftermath of catastrophic wildfires that decimated Lahaina and nearby communities, nearly 1,000 displaced households stand at a dangerous crossroads. For over two years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has served as a critical lifeline, providing rental assistance to those left homeless. Yet now, with the Biden administration facing pressure from broader federal efforts to downsize FEMA’s role in disaster recovery—echoing former President Trump's calls to devolve responsibility to states—the agency is poised to decide whether to end this support. Why Does Ending FEMA Assistance Threaten Maui’s Recovery? Maui is grappling with one of the nation’s...