Damage Assessment Inspections
Government agencies must inspect your home before they will provide financial assistance. The purpose of these inspections is to evaluate the safety and habitability of your home.
What do the terms safety and habitability mean?
These are the terms FEMA uses. The definitions of safety and habitability can overlap. Understanding the FEMA terms will help when reviewing the results of the inspection.
Safety
The natural disaster has not reduced the structural integrity of your home to a point where it is unsafe to occupy. Your home can also be considered unsafe if exits are blocked or there is mold contamination.
Habitability
A home is safe, sanitary, and functional.
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“Safe” refers to being secure from disaster-caused hazards to occupants. These can be structural or non-structural.
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“Sanitary” refers to being free of disaster-caused health hazards.
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“Functional” refers to being able to be used for its intended purpose. This does not mean to be used in its pre-event condition.
Safety Evaluations
Criminals view Red/ Unsafe placards as an opportunity. If the National Guard or other security services have not been engaged, you may need to sleep at your property to protect your valuables.
​What is a Home Safety Evaluation?
This evaluation is an assessment of the home by licensed engineers and architects and by other construction experts. These evaluators are part of a team created by the federal, state, and local governments as part of the response activities.
What is a Windshield or Reconnaissance Survey?
Building officials or emergency response managers will conduct these assessments. These surveys determine the nature and extent of building damage in an area. The team uses the results to prioritize regions for rapid evaluation. Buildings are not placarded during this phase.
What is a Rapid Evaluation?
This is an approximately 30-minute inspection to provide a general evaluation of damage and safety. You may not be given notice that your home exterior will be inspected. Inspectors will not enter your home if you are not present. Your home will be placarded after the inspection. Because this assessment is performed quickly and without entering the building, the inspectors may have erred on the side of caution.
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Green – "Lawful occupancy." There may be damage, but you can still occupy your home.
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Yellow – "Restricted use." You can occupy your home with restrictions. For example, a wing in your home was seriously damaged but the rest is occupiable.
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Red – "Unsafe. Do not enter or occupy." You may not enter until repairs are completed. If your home is placarded Red, your options are limited until the repairs are completed.
What do I need to know about the home habitability inspection?
This fact sheet from FEMA provides more guidance on what to expect: "What You Need to Know: Returning to In Home Housing Inspections."
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A home inspection for habitability is required after filing claims with FEMA or a state disaster assistance program.
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You should not wait to make critical repairs, such as plumbing and broken windows. Take photos and keep your receipts. Share these with the inspector.
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Legitimate inspectors will notify you ahead of time when they will be inspecting. Inspectors will wear a vest or jacket with an agency name on it and have an ID on the outside of their clothing.
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You need to be wary of scammers. If an inspector shows up at your home without prior notice, request to see an ID and verify the agency. If you are at all uncomfortable, tell the inspector to leave and that you will schedule an appointment yourself. If the inspector provides you a number to call, do not use it, the phone number may be part of the scam.
Should I prepare for the inspection?
The more documentation you can provide, the more accurate the inspection results will be.
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List all damage.
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Provide photos or drawings of your property.
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Use online platforms like Google maps to provide an aerial photo.
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Download tax assessment drawings that are available on-line. These frequently include land and building square footage.​