Arkansas Hotel Deadline Extension Approved
Release Date: December 9, 2005
Release Number: 3215-030
» More Information on Arkansas Hurricane Katrina
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it will continue to pay for hotel stays for evacuees in Arkansas until January 7, 2006.
The extension of its federally-reimbursed hotel/motel temporary housing program, from the previous deadline of December 15, 2005, is the result of a request from the state of Arkansas. It allows the nearly two-thousand Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees still staying in hotels more time to find longer-term housing.
"Finding a home of their own is an important step forward for those recovering from these disasters. We encourage evacuees to reach out to FEMA and other agencies working one-on-one with applicants. Together we can find a housing solution that will work," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell.
There are many resources available to help evacuees in Arkansas stay the road to recovery, including: FEMA, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM), Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Catholic Charities, the Department of Workforce Services (DWS), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Their goal is to help evacuees with a wide range of needs as they transition to long-term housing.
"The state of Arkansas is working hard to ensure that evacuees get the housing assistance they need," said John Brackin, Acting Director & Homeland Security Advisor for ADEM.
It is important that evacuees register for FEMA assistance and then keep the agency informed of all address and phone number changes by calling the FEMA Helpline and toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Registration and updates can also be done online at www.fema.gov. The deadline to register for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is January 11, 2006.
The state of Arkansas, as one of the 10 states with the highest concentration of evacuees in hotel rooms, was eligible to request an extension to Jan. 7. The other eligible states include Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas.
HOUSING AND OTHER RESOURCES
Evacuees are being contacted directly by FEMA, state, and voluntary agency representatives are visiting hotels and motels distributing housing and other information.
Local public housing authorities are the main resource for evacuees seeking housing in the state. Those in hotels are urged to contact an office in their area as soon as possible.
The state of Arkansas, with assistance from FEMA and other agencies, is hosting a Hurricane Evacuee Assistance Fair on Friday, December 16, 2005. Information will be provided to evacuees about local housing, job placement and training, unemployment insurance, and special needs. There will be representatives from FEMA, DHHS, Catholic Charities, DWS, and SBA there to help. The location of the assistance fair will be announced shortly.
The Catholic Charities Hurricane Recovery Office has trained teams that are offering case management to evacuees including assistance with resettlement, reunification, and issues related to FEMA applications, housing, utilities, food, and emotional support in their recovery. The phone number is 501-664-0340, ext. 459.
DHHS is providing relocation services for evacuees who choose to leave Arkansas. DHHS provides multiple services to eligible citizens of Arkansas and additional information can be obtained by calling 1-800-482-8988.
DWS is helping evacuees find jobs and assisting them with unemployment insurance issues. Those who require training or re-training may be referred to the Local Workforce Investment Area staff. For more information visit their web site at www.arkansas.gov/esd. Call 501-682-2033 or 501-371-1020 for assistance locating an office nearby.
Upon registering with FEMA, Katrina evacuees who previously received HUD assistance, and those who were homeless and living in the disaster area previous to Hurricane Katrina, can register for HUD's Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP). Under KDHAP, HUD will provide vouchers for up to 18 months of rent to those who qualify. For more information call HUD toll-free at 1-866-373-9509.
SBA disaster loans are the primary form of federal disaster assistance for the owners of private property. SBA offers low interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non profit organizations. To qualify for a low interest loan or to be considered for other needs assistance from FEMA applicants must complete and submit their SBA loan application form. Call 1-800-659-2955 for information.
FEMA has also set up a housing-locator service, available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-800-762-8740 or TTY 1-800-462-7585, for those with speech or hearing impairments.
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: Tuesday, 07-Feb-2006 14:55:15