FEMA Reiterates Commitment to Providing Housing Help
Release Date: July 18, 2008
Release Number: 1604-662
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BILOXI, Miss. -- While the number of families occupying federal temporary housing has declined significantly in the past 35 months, efforts to assist the remaining 5,000 families remain strong. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) once again reiterated their commitment to help temporary housing occupants transition to permanent or alternate housing.
"We're working aggressively to relocate families currently in travel trailers. We have entered hurricane season; we must help families transition into safer and more secure housing," said Sid Melton, director of the FEMA Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office. "We understand housing costs are high and there are limited resources in certain areas. We have federal programs in place to assist families who need our help."
FEMA Housing Advisors continue to help families living in temporary housing units find and relocate to safer and secure housing options including Mississippi Cottages, rental resources or rebuilt and repaired homes. Less than 5,000 units are occupied in Mississippi.
"We are meeting our goals of providing safer, stronger housing for residents along the Gulf Coast through the Mississippi Alternative Housing Program (MAHP)," said Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Mike Womack. "MEMA recently reached a milestone with the MAHP by delivering its 3,000th cottage. Now we are working with local governments to find permanent places for cottages so those who still need housing can have it."
FEMA and Mississippi continue working together on their number one priority getting families out of temporary housing.
"We recognize some of these moves will also be transitional but the individual or family will be in a safer environment. Our priority continues to be getting families out of travel trailers. We want to help families take advantage of the available assistance," said Melton. "We'll move families into a safer, more secure living environment as quickly as resources become available."
As MAHP participants return cottages to the program, MEMA intends to refurbish the units and provide them to those still in need of housing, Womack said.
FEMA has also partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP). DHAP will provide rental coverage for families transitioning to rental resources as well as case managers to assist them achieving their permanent housing plan.
FEMA Individual Assistance teams will assist families in creating a transition packet. Applicants and landlords interested in participating in the DHAP can contact the DHAP Call Center at 866-373-9509.
As directed by the President, the federal temporary housing program and DHAP will operate until Mar. 1, 2009.
"Eligible families will receive assistance. We will make every effort to help families find alternate housing." said Melton. "Bottom line is to get families or individuals out of temporary housing units into a safer and more secure living situation."
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: Monday, 21-Jul-2008 11:11:40