FEMA Has Paid Nearly $3 Billion In Hotel Bills And Rent For The Victims Of Katrina, Rita

[Purveyor]

HOUSTON—FEMA has paid nearly $3 billion in hotel bills and rent for the victims of Katrina and Rita, according to government statistics.

It’s the costliest emergency housing effort in the country’s history.

Federal aid for the victims is scheduled to expire in March of 2009.

When that happens, many housing advocates worry those who depend on it won’t have anywhere to go.

KHOU: http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou082608_tnt_fema_katrina_rita_housing.14256e12.html

[Purveyor]

1. According to my math, that $3 billion could have built 40,000 houses at a cost of $75k each...

Bush league gov't efficiency at its finest...indeed!

[TheWraith]

2. And how much would it have cost to make sure the city didn't flood in the first place?

Proper levee repair in 2003: $250 million.

That isn't "fiscal responsibility," it's penny wise, pound foolish.

[Brotherjohn]

11. But that would be the government... spending money... on people.

Isn't that socialism?
:sarcasm:

[BOSSHOG]

3. How many will be left homeless after Gustav visits somewhere on the coast?

Hopefully it will peter out but that's just wishful thinking on my part.

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200807_5day.html?MR=1

[Brotherjohn]

8. Weather Underground!? Are you some kinda terra-ist! (nt)

[BOSSHOG]

12. I'm a secret weather watcher

I find their site easy to navigate and I like their maps. I ain't too computer smart, so I look for the easiest sites to use.

[Brotherjohn]

13. I like them because I post the computer models. (nt)

[KamaAina]

15. He's really Bill Ayers

:evilgrin:

[Brotherjohn]

10. Ooohh. All joking aside, the new tracks show it missing Cuba.

Looks to be the first Cat 3 of the season, and a threat to NOLA and the northern Gulf. Be safe!

[Canuckistanian]

4. I hate to ask this, but

Shouldn't this be handled by HUD?

And by the way, is HUD even IN the housing business any more? Or am I being naive?

[Brotherjohn]

9. Well, FEMA's incompetent and all, but this was a disaster... a "federal emergency".

So I think FEMA more fits the bill.

[Joanne98]

5. Another money laundering scheme.

[seemslikeadream]

6. I'd love to see who is getting the contracts to build all those trailers for FEMA

[lib2DaBone]

7. These people are better off .....you know......

Barbara chuckled as she said: "So many of the people here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.

"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. Almost everyone I've talked to says: 'We're going to move to Houston'."

Many of the refugees are anxiously waiting for news of missing loved ones. Their homes have been destroyed and families shattered by the hurricane that hit southern America last week.

Barbara's comments come as celebrities lined up to criticise George Bush over delays in responding to the crisis.

[RB TexLa]

14. And you have fooled yourself into thinking those celebrities cared any more than she did?

Funny.

They didn't and don't care anymore than she did.