[StBernard] FEMA AUTHORIZES HOTEL OR MOTEL ASSISTANCE FOR OCCUPANTS OF FEMA TEMPORARY HOUSING UNITS

[Westley Annis]

FEMA AUTHORIZES HOTEL OR MOTEL ASSISTANCE FOR OCCUPANTS          OF FEMA
TEMPORARY HOUSING UNITS  

WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) recently issued Emergency Lodging Assistance (ELA)
guidance that allows assistance to occupants of FEMA-provided temporary
housing units who ask to be moved because of health concerns associated with
their units. FEMA temporary housing units include travel trailers, park
models and mobile homes.

Under the new Emergency Lodging Assistance guidance, FEMA will provide
assistance to individuals and households to stay at a hotel or motel for an
initial 30 days or until more appropriate housing is located.  Extensions
can be authorized on a case-by-case basis. The guidance went into effect on
August 22, 2007.

The guidance stipulates that residents must be currently registered for
assistance, currently living in a FEMA-provided temporary housing unit, and
agree to the terms and conditions of the program. These conditions include a
signed agreement acknowledging that the hotel or motel rooms are only for
the use of the applicant's household; that the household will not be able to
return to the FEMA temporary housing unit; and that they will not be able to
purchase the unit under the sales to occupants program should it be
reinstated. The conditions also include a requirement that the applicant is
responsible for paying for all charges except room and tax, which will be
paid by FEMA; and an acknowledgement that FEMA may terminate this assistance
with 14 days of written notice.

Occupants of a FEMA-provided temporary housing unit who have a health
concern may contact FEMA at the FEMA Formaldehyde information number:
1-866-562-2381; TTY 1-800-462-7585. More information is available at
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2005katrina/useful.shtm.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates the federal government's
role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to
and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made,
including acts of terror.