US Federal Emergency Management Agency

The U.S. government suspended funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands' housing authority due to an investigation revealing widespread corruption, financial mismanagement, and improper payments. The housing authority has spent only $570,000 of $1.9 billion in disaster recovery funds nearly nine years after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, with HUD accusing it of being an 'abysmal steward of taxpayer funds.'

A federal audit found only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico's power grid post-Hurricane Maria had been disbursed nearly a decade later, with delays attributed to staff turnover, onerous project reviews, and the territory's financial struggles. Chronic blackouts persist despite the allocated funds, with only 400 miles of planned vegetation clearance completed by February.

A federal audit found that only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico's power grid after Hurricane Maria has been disbursed nearly a decade later. Chronic delays include slow vegetation clearing, project review challenges, and Puerto Rico's financial struggles, with Luma Energy facing legal disputes over power management.

US Democratic lawmakers pledged to address delays in Puerto Rico's disaster recovery, including issues with federal funding approvals and FEMA staffing. The group met with mayors to discuss challenges caused by a policy requiring personal approval for large expenditures, which was later rescinded. Puerto Rico's recovery from hurricanes and earthquakes remains slow, with 30% of projects pending.

Fourteen FEMA employees were reinstated after eight months on administrative leave for signing a public letter criticizing Trump administration funding cuts. The letter, called the 'Katrina declaration,' warned of the US's dangerous lack of preparedness for natural disasters due to reduced funding.