October 28, 2020 3:30 a.m.

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency have approved the increase in the Fair Market Rental Rate to 125 percent for Douglas and six other counties.

Nate Custer of FEMA said increasing the FMR will continue to put Rental Assistance directly in the hands of survivors. That program enables applicants to rent alternative housing accommodations while an applicant is displaced from their disaster-damaged primary residence. Custer said survivors should contact their insurance companies as soon as possible to access their benefits.

Custer said FEMA housing assistance is tailored to individual and household needs based on information provided during the application process. People are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they receive the benefits for which they are eligible. Custer said FEMA is already providing applicants with rental assistance and replacement funds.

The FEMA External Outreach Site at the old middle school gym in Glide is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to help survivors. Those impacted must apply for FEMA disaster assistance by November 16th.