Mortgage and Rental Assistance for Freeze Vicitms Only a Phone Call Away
Release Date: March 5, 1999
Release Number: 1267-02
» More Information on California Severe Freeze
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- STARTING ON MONDAY, MARCH 8, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will accept applications for Mortgage and Rental Assistance (MRA) from individuals who have been affected by the recent freeze. People residing or working in the seven declared California counties may apply for MRA by calling 1-800-745-0243. Persons wishing to apply in person for additional programs may visit one of 17 Disaster Service Centers (DSCs) operating in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, and Tulare counties.
Mortgage and Rental Assistance
1-800-745-0243
Monday through Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time
MRA is administered by FEMA in close coordination with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and is designed to prevent the eviction of homeowners or renters because of income loss related to the severe freeze of December 20 - 28, 1998.
MRA is part of FEMA's temporary disaster housing program and can provide rent or mortgage payments for the duration of the disaster's impact on an individual's income. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
FEMA is establishing a special MRA processing unit at its National Processing Service Center (NPSC) to handle all MRA applications. A caseworker at the NPSC will be assigned to each application and will assist the disaster victim in completing required forms and obtaining required documents.
In addition, teams of FEMA Individual Assistance staff will schedule visits to each Disaster Service Center (DSC) to answer questions and ensure awareness of the MRA program's availability and stipulations.
Additional programs available at the DSCs include Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Rental and Mortgage Assistance, job placement, energy assistance, food assistance, social services and referrals to local services. These DSCs are being operated under a state contract with La Coopertiva Campesina de California through their partners, Proteus, Employer's Training Resource, Central Valley Opportunity Center and the Center for Employment and Training.
Last Modified: Thursday, 18-Dec-2003 10:52:58