HOUSTON IS FULL Available Housing for Hurricane Evacuees is Running Out
December 13, 2005 -- Mayor Bill White today announced nearly all housing units made available to evacuees through the Houston/Harris County Joint Hurricane Housing Task Force are full. The housing assistance program to date has placed approximately 100,000 evacuees in 29,627 units. There are an estimated 3500 rental units which may be available to the program. Tomorrow will be the last day for issuing new vouchers at the Disaster Recovery Center. Individuals with vouchers who have not found apartments or who need to renew may do so until Tuesday, December 27.
"Houston has led the way by providing shelter with dignity for evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We have created a model that other cities can follow," said Mayor White. "Houston is getting full. FEMA needs to implement the plan we have outlined many times to assist evacuees and cities such as Houston and Baton Rouge, to allow people to live in apartments rather than hotels and shelters."
Information about housing options outside of Houston can be obtained through the task force at 713.221.1636, or through FEMA at its website www.fema.gov, or by calling 1.800.621.FEMA.
