By Eugene T. Lowe
October 3, 2005

The federal government announced September 23 a plan that will provide housing assistance for Katrina evacuees. The plan, announced by both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will be administered by both agencies. DHS will carry out its program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual and Households Program (IHP). Homeowners and renters displaced by Hurricane Katrina will be able to receive assistance through the IHP program. Those families not eligible for the IHP program and those who were receiving HUD assistance before the disaster will be assisted through the HUD Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program.

The IHP housing assistance will be an initial three-month rental payment check or electronic fund transfer for $2,358. Based on the average fair market rent rate for a two-bedroom unit nationwide, the housing assistance will be portable. The HUD program will be administered by local public housing authorities. Evacuees in the HUD program will receive assistance that can be used in both public and private housing units in the community of their choice. Rents will be based on 100 percent of the fair market rate of the community chosen by the evacuee. Those who want to participate in the HUD program should contact a local public housing authority. IHP program eligible individuals and households must register through FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or apply online at www.fema.gov for disaster assistance. For more information, see usmayors.org.