* Louisiana PING *
Posted on 11/15/2005 4:44:15 PM PST by caryatid
WASHINGTON -- FEMA will stop paying for hotel rooms for most evacuees of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Dec. 1. Officials said they have been pushing evacuees to find more stable housing.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that 53,000 families remain in hotels -- mostly in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi -- after losing their homes to the storms that devastated the Gulf Coast this year.
FEMA had previously set the December deadline as a goal to have evacuees out of hotels and into travel trailers, mobile homes or apartments until they find permanent homes. Tuesday's announcement marks the first time the agency said it will cease directly paying for hotel rooms that have cost at least $250 million since the storms struck.
FEMA granted exceptions to evacuees in hotels in Louisiana and Mississippi, where there is a shortage of housing. Evacuees in those states have until Jan. 7 to find homes.
David Garratt, FEMA's acting director of recovery, said 9,830 households remain in hotels in Louisiana and 2,508 in Mississippi.
That's really important, and we need to know more.
* Louisiana PING *
I went to Mississippi to help them out after Katrina. They really do need the extension. I was under the impression though that the extra trailers will soon be there to move into though. That state is devastated beyond belief.
Time to move in with the relatives, as they would have done if Fema hadn't come through with the hotels.
That's good news. Hopefully most will be able to get back into their own house by then. I know around here there are still many who need shelter.
http://www.kplctv.com/global/story.asp?s=4118885&ClientType=Printable
Home Delivery Takes On New Meaning
November 14, 2005
Reported by Vince Atkinson
The need for housing is at an all time high in Southwest Louisiana. Hurricane Rita destroyed or damaged countless homes and shut down many apartment complexes. Habitat For Humanity is stepping up to the plate to help those in need. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pushed Louisiana into the national spotlight. The need for new housing was heard by the entire nation and Monday the first round of relief starting arriving.
Jinette Evans with Habitat For Humanity says,"People are just packed in just anywhere they can go because so many houses were destroyed in the hurricane. Rita really hit us hard." That is why a delivery truck that arrived in the Lake Area Monday was such a welcome sight. The truck was filled with Habitat for Humanity homes that were first constructed in Washington D.C. as part of Operation Home Delivery. Each house is put together by teams from all across the nation.
For the time being the homes will be stored in the parking lot near the old Muller's building in Lake Charles free of charge. Bob Frost with Frost Enterprises says, "We have opened up some space for them to be able to bring their houses in and store them here for however long they need." According to officials with Habitat For Humanity, the homes will not be stored for very long. Evans says, "Habitat For Humanity International has promised to rebuild the Gulf Cost. This is like the first wave."
What looks like a pile of lumber will soon be transformed into new homes, replacing the ones Rita destroyed. Families that qualify will actually help construct the homes. In turn they get an interest free loan and a new place to call home.
What looks like a pile of lumber will soon be transformed into new homes, replacing the ones Rita destroyed. Families that qualify will actually help construct the homes. In turn they get an interest free loan and a new place to call home.
---That sounds like a really good plan. It also gives them a feeling of self worth knowing they are helping consruct their own homes. This is a great post and will be good news for those who need homes and have no where else to turn.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.