Floridians Log On To Disaster Housing Resources Website
Release Date: November 6, 2004
Release Number: 1539-257
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Jeanne
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Ivan
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Frances
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A housing website for disaster victims has drawn more than 2,600 visitors since its launch in late October.
Governor Jeb Bush announced the Disaster Housing Resources website, DHRonline.org, to the public Oct. 29, 2004. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 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.
It has received an average of 217 visitors per day. Visitors have had access to 12,000 listings with more than 32,000 rental units available statewide. They are able to search for housing by price, location and specific options such as number of bedrooms and baths.
"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."
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 lister will be notified by e-mail that, unless renewed, the resource will be archived.
"Identifying safe and affordable housing is mutually beneficial for both residents and Florida's real estate community" said Bill Carwile, federal coordinating officer.
The website was developed by Florida State University's Florida Public Affairs Center and will be administered by FEMA and SERT for one year. Other partners include the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the Florida Association of Realtors and the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University.
Visitors also can find information about temporary housing programs and assistance programs offered by FEMA and SERT.
Disaster victims still in need of housing should call the toll-free Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline at 1-888-472-1727 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern time, seven days a week.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2007 07:24:31