FEMA Hotel Housing Program Extended in Alabama to January 7 

Release Date: December 12, 2005
Release Number: 1605-126

» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted the State of Alabama's request for an extension of FEMA's program using federal funds to provide temporary hotel housing for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees. As one of 10 states housing 92 percent of the evacuee population, Alabama was eligible for an additional extension. The hotel program will now end January 7, 2006, rather than December 15, 2005 in Alabama.

Other states eligible to request the January 7 extension are Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas.

Michael Bolch, the federal coordinating officer for the Alabama recovery operation, granted the extension following the receipt of a housing placement plan and timeline from Alabama Governor Bob Riley. The extension was approved to accommodate efforts to move all evacuees out of hotels and into apartments and longer-term housing.

FEMA continues to reach out to evacuees through public service announcements, local media and by distributing flyers to evacuees in hotels, to provide them with more information about assistance they may be eligible for and to help them secure longer term housing if needed. FEMA Community Relations Caseworkers are interviewing people in more than 588 households still residing in hotels to discuss housing options. FEMA has also set up a housing referral service.

Evacuees who need help in finding longer-term housing may contact FEMA's housing locator service at 1-800-762-8740 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. For other forms of assistance or questions, evacuees may contact FEMA's helpline at 1-800-621 FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For individuals displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita from federally subsidized low-income housing, or for displaced homeless persons, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a disaster assistance housing program available. To learn more call 1-866-373-9509 or TTY 1-800-877-8339.

Last Modified: Monday, 12-Dec-2005 11:19:53