[StBernard] FEMA Extends Temporary Housing Assistance at Request of State of Louisiana

[Westley Annis]

FEMA Extends Temporary Housing Assistance at Request of State of Louisiana


BATON ROUGE, La. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the state of Louisiana, has extended temporary sheltering assistance, originally scheduled to end today, for those impacted by Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana. 

LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater, who also serves as the Governor's Authorized Representative to FEMA for recovery from hurricanes Gustav and Ike, requested the extension this week to ensure that families with damaged homes or those waiting for an inspection from FEMA had a safe, secure place to live.

Applicants who have been deemed eligible for FEMA housing assistance under the Individuals and Households Program, or where FEMA has not yet been able to inspect their home damage have been extended until Friday, October 17. 

Applicants who are deemed ineligible for FEMA housing assistance have received a flyer from their hotel, notifying them that their transitional sheltering assistance will end on October 6. Applicants who choose to remain in the hotel the night of October 6 and beyond will do so at their own expense. Applicants who believe they have received their notification in error may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Applicants with other disaster-related questions may call the FEMA Helpline or visit www.fema.gov by clicking on Apply for Assistance for more information. 

The intent of the TSA program is to provide lodging alternatives to evacuees who need a place to stay because they are unable to live in their homes due to damage or power outages. The program allows eligible individuals or families to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time and have the cost of the room and taxes paid directly to the hotel by FEMA. Meals, telephone calls and other incidental charges are not covered.

Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the coordinating and planning body leading the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history. The central point for hurricane recovery in Louisiana, the LRA partners with state and federal agencies to oversee more than $20 billion worth of programs, speed the pace of rebuilding, remove hurdles and red tape and ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before. For more information about the LRA and its 17-member board, visit lra.louisiana.gov.


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