Secure Housing Getting Strong Disaster Push
FEMA outreach locating, aiding people with disaster housing needs
Release Date: October 14, 2004
Release Number: 1558-054
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W. Va. – As the cleanup after Hurricane Ivan proceeds, insuring that flood-affected West Virginia residents have safe, sanitary housing continues to be the top priority of federal and state officials.
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making an aggressive effort in the hardest-hit flood areas to locate people in need of temporary housing,” said Lou Botta, federal coordinating officer. “In some cases we are calling people several times over and working with them to insure that they are settled safely."
Steve Kappa, state coordinating officer for the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services (WVOES) urged disaster-affected residents “to visit FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers, where workers are explaining housing aid available because of the disaster.”
Housing assistance is available for renters and homeowners whose primary residences were damaged or destroyed, or who were displaced from their homes for other disaster-related reasons. It includes:
- Rental Assistance - This money is to be used to rent another place to live. For homeowners, this money may be provided in addition to repair assistance if needed.
- Transient Accommodations (Hotel/Motel) - This money is to cover temporary lodging expenses (hotel or motel) related to the disaster.
- Home Repair - This money is intended to pay for labor and materials to make repairs to a home to make it safe, sanitary and/or functional.
- Interim Replacement Housing - The disaster has caused a lack of available housing units in the area, so FEMA is loaning you a manufactured building – a travel trailer or mobile home – to use until adequate housing resources are available.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Oct-2004 09:57:30