Important information re: Housing Aid for Katrina/Rita evacuees. (Serious) [View All]

[JanMichael]

This is relatively new news so if you care about these people please read on.

Basically a City or County (Or State I believe) can pay for Housing Vouchers up to 12 months with Local funds, or Federal like CDBG or HOME funds, and get 100% reimbursement. Yes 100%. All it takes is a reallocation of funds usually earmaked for longer term developments. They'd only be delayed for a few months.

The problem is that it's voluntary so if your city has evacuees that will be getting tossed out of hotels in two weeks because the Red Cross $100/day program ends then get on the ball. They may already know but it never hurts to ask.

This is Disaster Specific Guidance #2 Eligible Costs for Emergency Sheltering Declarations Hurricane Katrina (It's a Word Doc.).

It spells out what I'm going on about.

Here's a link that describes a reimbursement.

Your little non-profits (That have spent staff time and cash to help folks) can't be the agency that manages the reimbursements but under certain circumstances they COULD get money back. All you need is your Local Government to step up.

Basically this is the deal: IF FEMA ISN'T HELPING PEOPLE GET VOUCHERS GET THEM THROUGH YOUR CITY OR COUNTY AND FEMA WILL PAY IT BACK 100%!!!