September 26, 2005
Federal and State Government Respond to the Housing Needs of Katrina Evacuees
The Katrina disaster has rendered many thousands of individuals in the Gulf region homeless. In recent days, the federal government has announced several initiatives to respond to this crisis. On September 15, the US Senate approved legislation introduced by Senator Sarbanes to provide an emergency appropriation of $3.5 billion to provide 350,000 new Section 8 vouchers for persons displaced by the hurricane. In addition, FEMA has reinstated the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) which provides long-term rental assistance (up to 18 months) at fair market rent as well as cash assistance to replace personal property that was lost as a result of flooding. Information on how to access this information is available on the FEMA website.
At the state level, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has come forward to offer assistance. Soon after the extent of the devastation became known, the legislature appropriated $25 million to offset the costs of caring and providing shelter for individuals and families relocated to Massachusetts from the Gulf region. Currently, there are approximately 200 individuals being housed at Otis Air Base on Cape Cod, but there is reason to believe that more than 1500 individuals displaced by Katrina have relocated to other areas of the state. Plans are underway to determine the needs of these persons and how best to provide assistance.
More information on housing for hurricane victims is available at the National Low Income Housing Coalition and at HRSA.
Return to Archive 2005