S. 120 — Disaster Housing Reform for American Families Act

This section establishes a five-year pilot program under the Stafford Act's Individual Assistance housing provisions (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) requiring the President to contract with eligible entities (i.e., manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or producers of manufactured or modular homes) to construct temporary manufactured or modular housing (not more than four units per structure) for disaster-displaced individuals and households. Such housing must be available within 90 days (or 120 days upon extension) of a major disaster declaration, conform to applicable federal, state, local, and tribal standards (e.g., National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, International Residential Code, Federal Flood Risk Management Standard), reflect community needs post-disaster, and protect against natural hazards; it may become permanent housing with possible waivers of certain standards and must follow guidelines for transfer to local affordable housing programs upon disaster declaration termination. (Thus, the pilot program aims to provide rapid, standards-compliant temporary housing that could transition to long-term affordable options.) This section also authorizes financial assistance for closing costs to disaster-affected individuals and households purchasing residential property using a federal affordable mortgage program.