FEMA Searches For Rental Resources To Aid Evacuees 

Release Date: February 12, 2007
Release Number: 1603-601

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is searching for housing resources throughout Louisiana to help disaster victims move out of FEMA-provided temporary housing or return home from other states.

More than 362,000 people were displaced by both hurricanes Katrina and Rita and forced to find alternate housing. While thousands evacuated across the nation, many more moved into the 88,417 travel trailers and mobile homes FEMA provided for Louisiana citizens. As of Feb. 7, 2007, there were 61,174 temporary housing units (travel trailers and mobile homes) still occupied. Approximately 1,000 units per week are being returned to FEMA.

FEMA is asking anyone with rental property that could be made available to disaster victims to call the FEMA Rental Resources Department (RRD), 1-504-762-2427, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"Anyone with rental property, an empty apartment or a home they want to rent in the disaster-declared parishes should call us today," said George Smith, Individual Assistance section chief at the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "This is a great opportunity for a company or individual to advertise their resources and connect with potential renters."

Providing this information does not assure the property will be rented but does expand the options available to those in need of housing. The RRD is designed to provide information and connect prior residents to potential rental resources. Anyone with Internet access can search property listings. RRD will also refer potential renters to properties based on individual preferences.

Landlords calling to register their properties should be prepared to answer a few basic questions related to their rental unit, such as type of dwelling, number of bedrooms and baths, handicapped accessibility, pet policy, monthly rental amount and other items of interest to renters.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 12-Feb-2007 13:09:56