Disaster Housing Resource Web Site Valuable Asset For Applicants
Release Date: January 26, 2005
Release Number: 1539-357
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Although the State of Florida and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline discontinues operations on Jan. 28, 2005, there is still an ongoing source of information for individuals left homeless by the four Florida hurricanes of 2004.
The Disaster Housing Resources website, DHRonline.org, began operations for the public on Oct. 29, 2004. FEMA and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) established the site as a central forum for Florida disaster victims displaced because of recent hurricanes to search for immediate housing. The Web site lists more than 13,000 housing resources.
“The Disaster Housing Resources website is a quick and easy way for hurricane victims to find affordable, available housing,” said Craig Fugate, state coordinating officer. “Such activity on the website shows we are moving in the right direction for impacted Floridians in need of housing.”
Rental landlords who do not have access to the Internet but have property available to rent may list their property by sending their information via FAX at 1-407-858-6230 or 1-407-858-2018.
Property owners or their representatives are adding available rental units to the site daily. Once a resource has been posted for 30 days, the property owner will be notified by e-mail that, unless renewed, the resource will be archived.
To date, applicants visiting the site have looked over more than 120,000 listings. Web site activity continues to be steady, with 116 site visits on Jan. 24.
The Web site was developed by Florida State University’s Florida Public Affairs Center and is administered by FEMA and SERT through October of 2005. Other partners include the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the Florida Association of Realtors and the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University.
Individuals who are without housing due to the recent hurricanes are urged to register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for speech- or hearing-impaired individuals is 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.(EST), seven days a week. The deadline to apply for assistance is Feb. 28, 2005. After applying, those who have questions may visit a Disaster Recovery Center to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.
Floridians may also register for assistance online. Those with access to a computer should enter the FEMA website at www.fema.gov. Look for and click on the words “Register for Disaster Assistance Online” located in the upper right-hand column in a green box.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida’s state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. Visit www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.
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: Wednesday, 02-May-2007 07:25:29