Congressional Black Caucus
"The Conscience of Congress since 1969"
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(Washington, D.C.) - The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) met with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Director R. David Paulison this morning in an urgent move to guarantee housing and other FEMA benefits to Hurricane Katrina survivors.  Temporary housing benefits are currently scheduled to terminate on February 7, 2006.

At the meeting, the CBC received assurances that no Hurricane Katrina survivor living in hotels would be evicted before or on February 7 and that FEMA will take a closer look at sites for trailers identified by local governments in the effected storm areas.  Assistance for permanent housing, health care issues and other basic needs for hurricane survivors were also discussed during the meeting.

“The meeting with FEMA this morning was a result of a growing sense of urgency and frustration by the CBC to help find a solution for the housing crisis for hurricane evacuees,” noted U.S. Representative Melvin L. Watt, CBC Chair.  “We are happy with the guarantee not to evict and with the commitment to look closer at sites for trailers identified by local governments impacted by the storm.”

“We want to make sure that people are getting the assistance due to them,” said Acting Director Paulison. “The Congressional Black Caucus and FEMA are working toward the same objective.” 

Mr. Paulison reported that if FEMA has not processed evacuees they will not be kicked out of hotels and once evacuees get rental assistance they will be allowed to stay in the hotel for two more weeks to allow them to find an apartment.  He also confirmed that FEMA would pay for travel accommodations home for any Hurricane Katrina evacuee who desired to return.

“We got a commitment today that immediate attention will be given to provisions of temporary shelters and mobile homes in the Gulf Coast region,” said U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, a member of the CBC and Ranking Democratic Member of the House Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over housing matters. “The CBC will continue to work with FEMA to get more permanent housing and will do whatever it takes to make sure victims are whole.”

Currently, only 40,000 trailers are occupied, with another 80,000 on order.

During the meeting, Caucus members announced they will visit the Gulf Coast region over the holiday recess to further assess the needs of hurricane survivors. 

Upon the Caucus’ recommendation, FEMA agreed to create a list of guidelines that can be consistently applied to help constituents.

Today marks the 108th day since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region.  On November 2, the 42-House members of the CBC introduced a Hurricane Katrina Relief bill designed to provide for the recovery of the Gulf Coast region and for the reunion of families devastated by the storm.  The bill also addresses issues of poverty exposed by the storm.

Both sides agreed to meet again in early January.

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