FEMA extends hotel aid 2 weeks

[Thom Little]

Victims of Hurricane Katrina getting federal help with their hotel bills will have their stays extended by two weeks, Gov. Haley Barbour announced Monday.

Barbour, who requested an extension to the Dec. 1 deadline last week, said two weeks was the maximum extension the state could get.

While about 21,000 families have moved into mobile homes and travel trailers provided by FEMA, the state still needs about 12,000 to 14,000 more, Barbour said.

"This is far and away the most trailers put in in this period of time," Barbour said. "But it's still not enough."

Barbour said he plans to ask for at least two more extensions, and may ask for more until the housing stock on the Mississippi Gulf Coast improves enough for all hotel dwellers to move into safe shelter.


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