Washington, DC – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (GCR) and FEMA, today announced the extension of housing assistance for Gulf Coast hurricane victims.  As part of the Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007, which was passed by the House of Representatives on March 20th, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) passed an amendment which would extend FEMA housing assistance for hurricane victims until December 31, 2007.  The announcement made today extends temporary housing assistance by 18 months until March 1, 2009.  The current FEMA extension ends on August 31, 2007.

Upon termination of FEMA housing assistance, Congressman Green’s amendment would also transition eligible households from FEMA housing to HUD’s tenant-based rental assistance program and would make Section 8 vouchers available to households in trailers and mobile homes.   HUD and FEMA also announced today that they are working on a plan whereby HUD would take over management of the rental housing program on behalf of FEMA beginning on September 1, 2007.  GCR, HUD and FEMA stated that they are working on the mechanics of the new arrangement and will consult with Congress on the most appropriate structure for transferring management responsibilities. 

“The vast majority of all families receiving FEMA rental assistance are those who could least afford to endure the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. These survivors have lived day to day, week to week, and month to month hoping and praying that FEMA would extend its deadlines,” stated Congressman Green.  “By extending the housing assistance program and by transferring management of the program from FEMA to HUD, we are able to provide these families with greater assurance and stability for their mid- and longer-term housing needs.  One thing Katrina taught us was that as HUD not FEMA is better equipped to handle the hurricane survivors’ mid- and longer-term housing needs.”

“Today, 37,057 households continue to receive FEMA rental assistance.  More than half of all families currently receiving this assistance reside in the City of Houston,” continued Green. “When assistance would have ended in August, over 120,000 families housed through FEMA-funded trailers, mobile homes and rental assistance could have been displaced a second time.  The scarcity of affordable housing in the Gulf Coast provides displaced families with few choices as they await housing that will take many years to rebuild. Housing assistance is critical for providing low-income, elderly, and disabled evacuees with the assurance and stability they need to continue their recovery.  I applaud HUD, GCR, and FEMA for extending the temporary housing deadline.  I look forward to working with these agencies on finding the best method to transition management from FEMA to HUD. By working together we can better ensure that these survivors who have endured so much will have a place to call home.”

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