Evacuees Should Use FEMA Rental Assistance To Pay Rent
Release Date: November 3, 2005
Release Number: 1606-055
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN , Texas -- "Use your rental assistance for rent." That's the standard message from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Officials continue to emphasize that point as reports surface about a number of Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are not paying their rent.
Disaster victims who have exhausted the rental assistance funds received from FEMA, may submit rent receipts to be recertified for additional rental assistance. The program gives applicants the flexibility to choose the location and housing solution that best serves the needs of their family, job situation and future plans. For more information, call FEMA's Helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 .
FEMA officials say all those who register and are deemed eligible will receive assistance, but only up to the maximum allowable amount. Any assistance given in the form of Expedited Assistance and temporary housing assistance will be applied toward that maximum. As in all cases, by law there can be no duplication of benefits, such as those covered by insurance.
Evacuated families not eligible for FEMA assistance may be eligible for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's public housing voucher program. See its web site at www.hud.gov/katrina/housinghelp.cfm or call 888-297-8685 .
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Nov-2005 13:30:38