Rental Resources Available for Storm Victims
Release Date: February 29, 2008
Release Number: 1744-032
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Federal, state and local officials are aggressively seeking all available housing assistance options for Arkansas residents affected by the Feb. 5 tornadoes, said officials with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"Housing assistance is FEMA's number one priority," said Federal Coordinating Officer Ken Riley. "We have been successful in locating alternative rental resources within the local communities of residents who were displaced from their homes."
The first step for residents to receive temporary housing assistance is to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments. Residents may also register anytime online at www.fema.gov. Applicants who may qualify for FEMA housing will be contacted for a pre-placement interview.
"The goal is to find suitable rental properties in the local area," said State Coordinating Officer Richard Griffin, of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). "Moving into an existing resource allows the family to quickly re-establish their home and minimizes travel to and from work, school and other routine stops. Contributing to the local economy is also a positive outcome of the process."
All reasonable means of providing temporary housing are being explored by FEMA including utilizing the Internet, local housing authorities and public sector property management offices to locate possible rental resources in or around disaster-stricken areas. A list of possible rental resources is then compiled, which includes apartments, condominiums, rental houses and privately-owned mobile home parks. A team of FEMA housing specialists is then deployed to verify the rental resources.
Residents should call and register with FEMA to explore housing options if they have been displaced from their primary homes. Operators on FEMA's disaster assistance helpline (1-800-621-FEMA [3362] or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired) and Disaster Recovery Center personnel have access to online resources so they can refer applicants to housing in their particular areas.
Residents of Baxter, Conway, Izard, Marion, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union and Van Buren counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance.
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: Friday, 29-Feb-2008 09:09:49