Maui fire survivors upset with living conditions from FEMA's housing program.Nearly a year after wildfires devastated Maui and displaced many of its residents, Charles Nahale is still searching for a permanent place to call home.
“I was told when I had that happen, that it would take no more than three weeks to do. It took three months. And while I was in the shelter, the hotel, waiting to be placed in this unit, they were paying for the unit, which was three months and over $5,000 a month, and the hotel I was in.”He says he was heartbroken when he finally was able to view the apartment for the first time, and says it was unsuitable.
Nahale's problems with FEMA and the properties aren't specific to him. Other people have expressed their frustration, including Timothy Putnam, known as "Timster" on the island, who has been matched four times to different units. Still, Putnam says he’s grateful. “I do have a roof over my head and I have since August 17th because of Governor Green, State of Hawaii, FEMA, and the Red Cross. They have kept me housed and it's a pretty amazing thing. Right? So, there's a lot of flaws in the system, but overall, I've been looked after, and I'm grateful for that.”Putnam recently learned he would be re-matched to a property closer to his job.
ABC News contacted FEMA, but they declined an on-camera interview and could not confirm how many leases were ended. Putnam said he questions how sustainable living on Maui truly is, and says the program has affected an already difficult rental market. Boone says people who were not displaced by the fire, have found themselves homeless in the aftermath of the fire. "Landlords that wanna take advantage of this federal money and raise their rents are just either going radio silent or refusing to renew people's leases, to then, you know, offer a new lease to somebody else at a higher rate” Boone said.Zoltan Balogh, a Maui resident for 20 years, lived in a rental in Kula. He said his property was spared during the fires in his area.
“You just stated you're evicting this person with nine day's notice to place a FEMA recipient,” Balogh said. “How are you saying this is okay and closing my- my file?”