FEMA Hotel/Motel Program Extended In Texas To Jan. 7
Release Date: December 9, 2005
Release Number: 1606-100
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted the State of Texas’ request for an extension of FEMA’s program using federal funds to provide temporary hotel and motel housing for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees. As one of 10 states housing 92 percent of the evacuee population nationwide, Texas was eligible for an additional extension. The hotel/motel program now will end Jan. 7, 2006, as opposed to Dec. 15, 2005, in the State of Texas.
Other states eligible to request the Jan. 7 extension are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee.
Federal Coordinating Officer for the Texas recovery operation Sandy Coachman granted the extension following receipt of a housing placement plan and timeline from the Governor of the State of Texas. The extension was approved to accommodate efforts to move all evacuees out of hotels and into apartments and longer-term housing.
“Timing is very important, which is why we are urging a transition sooner than later,” Coachman said. “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 a deadline and moving in furniture. Ideally, we want families to be in their home for Christmas and to have a homelike environment for children.”
FEMA is reaching out to evacuees with public service announcements through local media, and distributing flyers to all of the hotels and motels in the program. Evacuees are being contacted directly by state, voluntary organizations and FEMA representatives visiting hotels and motels. FEMA has also set up a housing referral service.
Evacuees who need help finding housing may contact FEMA’s housing locator service at 1-800-762-8740 or TTY 1-800-462-7585, open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For other forms of assistance, evacuees may contact FEMA’s help line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.
In addition, families and individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina can call 1-866-373-9509 or TTY 1-800-877-8339 to learn about the Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance program operated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD).
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: Saturday, 10-Dec-2005 15:36:21