Transition Message From Texas Recovery Operations Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman
Release Date: December 8, 2005
Release Number: 1606-099
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Attracted by a secure roof, dry structure and clean place to live, some 195,000 evacuees found their way to hotels and motels across the State of Texas in the wake of dual hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast in August and September of this year. Displaced families and individuals were accommodated in hotel rooms across the state, reflecting an unprecedented effort by the Texas hospitality industry and housing authorities to temporarily shelter an enormous influx of citizens and strangers alike. Absorbing the equivalent of a city is no small feat, but nothing is small in Texas .
Within weeks, thousands of evacuees returned home, moved in with family and friends, or to other states. And by mid-November, many had moved into other forms of housing, including tens of thousands of apartments funded by the FEMA Public Assistance program or paid by individuals who received FEMA rental assistance, homeowner's insurance or Additional Living Expenses. Despite available help, some evacuees moved without any state or federal assistance.
That still left thousands of evacuees occupying hotel and motel rooms, which is why FEMA is urging individuals and families to take the next step in the recovery process by moving from temporary lodging to longer-term housing an apartment or home.
Timing is very important, which is why we are urging a transition sooner than later. And the reasons are multifold: greater availability of apartments, better selection to fit immediate needs, along with a choice of school system and access to mass transit. Other reasons are to avoid the frustrations of deadline and moving in furniture. Ideally, we want families to be in their home for Christmas and to have a homelike environment for children.
Contrary to rumors, no one is being kicked out. In fact, FEMA strike teams and volunteer agencies are canvassing every hotel where evacuees are registered, reaching out with one-on-one assistance to help match evacuee housing needs with available properties and outlining possible FEMA housing programs that will pay rent until 2007. Counselors also are addressing special needs, educational opportunities and employment options.
As a result, the number of hotel/motel rooms already have dropped substantially. That's good news for everyone, but especially the evacuees who are open to relocating to a new community in Texas or elsewhere in the contiguous 48 states. In some areas of Texas , especially in Orange , Jefferson, Hardin and Jasper Counties , many neighborhoods and apartment complexes were destroyed or severely damaged. Those that remained were quickly occupied.
FEMA is evaluating options and stepping up efforts to move thousands of travel trailers into areas with intact infrastructures ... gas, electric, water and sewer service. Where possible, FEMA is co-locating travel trailers on private property while residences are being repaired or rebuilt. And, where permitted, FEMA is establishing communities on commercial sites.
Unfortunately, this still leaves many displaced evacuees with no way to return to their communities. The option for some may be to move further away until more housing is available.
No disaster is without heartache or hardship. Thousands of individuals are working tirelessly to restore stability to those who lost so much ... or everything ... when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita focused their destructive forces along hundreds of miles of coastline. Thank you to our state partners, local housing authorities, the media, hoteliers and volunteer groups for uniting in this enormous recovery effort.
No one could have predicted or prepared for the scope of the aftermath. It will take years to recover and to rebuild. It also will take patience and perseverance. Mostly it will take understanding and caring ... recognizing that the greatest resource we have to get through these trying times is one another. No force of nature can dampen the human spirit.
Sandy Coachman
FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for Texas Recovery Operations
Austin , Texas
Last Modified: Friday, 09-Dec-2005 11:39:05