If You Need Housing Assistance, Stay in Touch with FEMA
Release Date: February 13, 2008
Release Number: 1744-012
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
LITTLE ROCK , Ark. -- Arkansans whose homes were destroyed or made unlivable by the tornadoes of Feb. 5 are urged to stay in touch with federal officials after they register for disaster assistance, according to officials from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
"Once you've applied for disaster assistance, be sure to maintain regular contact with FEMA," said Federal Coordinating Officer Phil Parr. "After a disaster, displaced families sometimes change addresses a number of times as they look for suitable housing. They should be sure to call FEMA's helpline to update their contact information."
"Housing assistance can help pay for rent if someone is displaced. If rental properties are not available, we may be able to provide residents with a mobile home," Parr said. "But we can't help if we can't get in touch with them. We have identified residents who may be eligible for a mobile home, but we have had difficulty contacting them."
To date more than $600,000 in housing assistance has been approved.
Applicants can update their contact information by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech- or hearing-impairments. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to midnight CST seven days a week. Individuals can also update their contact information at www.fema.gov or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
Residents in eight Arkansas counties may be eligible for housing assistance: Baxter, Conway, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, and Van Buren. Those affected by the tornadoes who have not yet registered with FEMA can begin applying for assistance by using the above numbers or Web site. The deadline to apply is April 7, 2008.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Feb-2008 07:57:37