Housing Promises Made to Evacuees Have Fallen Short, Washington POST Oct 2

[Coastie for Truth]

Two weeks before President Bush's mid-October goal for moving Hurricane Katrina victims out of shelters, more than 100,000 people still reside in such makeshift housing, and 400,000 more are in hotel rooms costing up to $100 a night.

Housing options promised by the federal government a month ago have largely failed to materialize. Cruise ships and trailer parks have so far proved in large part to be unworkable, while an American Red Cross program -- paid for by the federal government -- that allows storm victims to stay in motels or hotels is scheduled to expire Oct. 15. It is projected to cost the Federal Emergency Management Agency as much as $168 million.

Appender's note -- this is under a "Standard Purchase Order" from FEMA. The $168 Million is an interest free bridge loan that the Red Cross had to get because FEMA hasn't paid, and the collections of contributions and pledges are being procesed in slowly by the credit card clearing system (the credit card companies "hold" your account instantly in real time - but it can day days to weeks for the recipient to get the money).

Federal officials are struggling to launch an alternative interim housing program that would give families whose homes are destroyed or uninhabitable a lump sum of $2,358 in rental assistance, or $786 a month for three months, with the possibility of a 15-month extension. So far, 330,000 families have signed up for the housing assistance. But if evacuees have to use those stipends to pay for hotel rooms when FEMA stops covering such lodging, the funds will not last long.

Last week, the number of evacuees in hotels increased from 220,000 to more than 400,000 people, in 140,000 rooms. Many have no idea what they will do when the program ends in two weeks.

"while an American Red Cross program -- paid for by the federal government -- that allows storm victims to stay in motels or hotels is scheduled to expire Oct. 15."

Appender's note -- this is under a "Standard Purchase Order" from FEMA-- and is fairly standard for mass disasters. Unlike the money Bushie "gave" to "faith based charities" - the Red Cross is bound by the non-discrimination, etc. terms and conditions of the Federal Aquition Regulations.

Further, the Red Cross has in effect given FEMA a $150 Million interest free bridge loan to keep this program going. That is, the Red Cross is borrowing the money from banks pending payment from FEMA and "clearing" of individual contributions through the credit card clearing system.

Further, the "onesie-twosie" three day hotel stays for victims of small local disasters are NOT paid for by FEMA

....

Red Cross spokeswoman Carrie Martin said, "We're administering the hotel program with the expectation that it ends on October 15th. . . . After that, we'll still have shelters open, but we definitely don't want to move backwards."

Appender's note -- "Administering" means that this is under a "Standard Purchase Order" from FEMA. Unlike the money Bushie "gave" to "faith based charities" - the Red Cross is bound by the non-discrimination, etc. terms and conditions of the Federal Aquition Regulations.

Meanwhile, more than 100,000 people remain in about 1,000 shelters operated by the Red Cross, smaller charities and churches, scattered across two dozen states as far-flung as New York and Washington.

Appender's note --Generally not paid for by FEMA - altough Bushoes wants to reimburse "faith based charities -- without requiring Federal Acquisition Regulations-type "non-discrimination.

The Red Cross has said it will keep its shelters open for as long as necessary, but many are in churches and public buildings that are needed for their primary functions. Hundreds of shelters have closed over the past two weeks, and many of their occupants, the Red Cross said, appear to be moving into hotels, in hopes of benefiting from the hotel program in its final days.