Housing Is A Priority
Release Date: October 30, 2004
Release Number: 1539-246
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Getting Florida hurricane victims into temporary housing has been, and will continue to be, the top priority for federal and state disaster teams.
"We know there are still people who need housing," said Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Carwile of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "More than half the people who have called the Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline have not yet registered with FEMA. We really needs those people with housing needs to contact us so we can help them."
Hurricane victims who are still without housing are encouraged to call the Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline at 1-888-472-1727 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Eastern time), seven days a week. It was created to assist Floridians who still need housing and have no other alternatives.
Disaster officials say additional assistance may be available, but only by calling the FEMA teleregistration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. The lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After registering, callers will receive information about various programs, including grants, loans, unemployment compensation and crisis counseling.
"Callers should take advantage of all the opportunities that are available," said State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT). "The only way to do this is to first call FEMA to register. If there is an immediate need for housing, they should then call the Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline."
FEMA has approved more than $393 million in housing funding for victims of the four hurricanes that struck Florida in August and September of this year. Those funds will provide temporary housing and/or home repair.
FEMA inspectors have completed over 657,000 housing inspections to verify damage claims.
FEMA and SERT have provided more than $417 million to help victims with necessary and serious needs caused by the disaster. It may include medical, dental, personal property, transportation, moving, storage and funeral costs.
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: Monday, 01-Nov-2004 11:04:08