FEMA Representatives Visit Hotels To Help Evacuees Explore Options
Release Date: December 3, 2005
Release Number: 1603-196
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Community Relations Hotel Population Outreach Project (HPOP) run by The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) provides vital information for evacuees affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. HPOP offers evacuees a long- term assistance interview to discuss their housing options.
This project allows FEMA personnel and evacuees to come together and explore their recovery options. Evacuees have the opportunity to have input on where they are placed upon their departure from the hotels on Dec.15. The deadline for FEMA to provide direct financial support to hotels is Dec.14. After that date, evacuees may use their own financial resources or FEMA rental assistance if they choose to continue living in hotels.
The following states are eligible for a further extension of Jan. 7, 2006 for the hotel program if the state's Governor makes a request and provides a transition plan to FEMA: Alabama , Arkansas , California , Florida , Georgia , Louisiana , Mississippi , Nevada , Tennessee , and Texas . HPOP began on Nov.18, 2005. To date, Community Relations Field Specialist teams have visited 254 hotels and interviewed more than 1,600 individuals.
"HPOP is a way the government is making an extra effort to have evacuees into housing when the hotel deadline arrives," said Community Relations Officer Ben Dew. "The purpose is not to remove evacuees out of the hotels but to help them explore their options and find housing."
The HPOP consists of 106 federal, state, and local employees. Finding suitable long-term housing options for hurricane victims can be difficult; but with FEMA personnel and evacuees working together, the effort will be made easier.
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.
Last Modified: Monday, 05-Dec-2005 12:05:10