Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. Visit the "Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House officials.
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September 27, 2005
Alphonso Jackson
Good afternoon. I'm Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). I am glad to have the chance to answer questions about HUD's efforts in helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Last Friday, Secretary Chertoff of Homeland Security and I announced a new Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP) to provide relief and expedite the delivery of federal assistance to provide housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina. A majority of the evacuees will receive assistance through FEMA. However, many who do not receive assistance through FEMA will be eligible for benefits under HUD's Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP). HUD, in cooperation with our local housing authority partners, will provide rental assistance to evacuee households in the affected areas that were already receiving HUD housing assistance or individuals or families who were homeless prior to the hurricane. First, individuals must register with FEMA. Then, eligible individuals and households will be referred to local housing authorities to participate in this program. This rental assistance will be based on the fair market rent in the community where an evacuee decides to relocate. Eligible evacuees may receive rental assistance payments for up to eighteen months. We are offering residents more than just a roof over their head. This is an opportunity for thousands of the victims of Hurricane Katrina to get back on their feet as they pick up the pieces and start anew. This Administration remains committed to filling the housing void in the Gulf Coast region and we will continue to work with our partners to help provide hope and healing to those who need it most. Charles, from Las Vegas
writes: Alphonso Jackson
Under KDHAP, former HUD assisted evacuees and those homeless before Katrina are eligible to receive fair market value rental relief for up to 18 months with no required contribution from the tenant. To further assist evacuees, we are asking landlords to ease restrictions, such as yearlong leases and income verifications, on evacuees seeking temporary housing. Our goal is to help evacuees gain temporary housing as soon as possible so they can begin to rebuild their lives.
Daniel, from Lakeville, CT
writes: Alphonso Jackson HUD, in cooperation with local housing authorities, will provide rental assistance to evacuees that were previously in HUD assisted units or homeless. This rental assistance will be based on the fair market rent in any community where an evacuee decides to relocate and can last up to 18 months.
Through this program we will cut the red tape and bureaucracy to make sure evacuees have the flexibility, choice and portability they need to move from temporary shelters to more stable housing.
Susan, from Lake Forest CA writes: Alphonso Jackson
Its our goal that those affected by Katrina are able to recover from this disaster as soon as possible.
Jason, from Houston Tx
writes: Alphonso Jackson Universities and colleges, both public and private, have welcomed students affected by the hurricane in tremendous numbers. Many are offering free room and board and in some cases tuition. As for what a college student can do to help, I would suggest contacting your college administration to see if they have accepted any displaced students or if they have adopted a University endowed charity for victim assistance. You could also create or participate in fundraisers on your campus to help those affected. Recovery from this disaster requires a national effort and everything you can do truly helps.
For further ideas on how to help look at www.redcross.org or www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org
michael, from Idaho writes: Alphonso Jackson We are also easing certain restrictions and regulations in order to get money where it is needed sooner. We are looking at certain grant programs, which will allow those communities in affected areas to gain quicker access to money so they can begin to rebuild as soon as possible. For example, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME grantees are being permitted to request that their previously awarded grants be reprogrammed to redirect their focus to disaster recovery activities.
In addition, we have also set up the Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program, which is an initiative between HUD and FEMA that will expedite the delivery of federal programs and transitional housing for the thousands of displaced families throughout the country.
chris, from third planet from the sun writes: Alphonso Jackson
Under the Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program, evacuee households in the affected areas that were already receiving HUD housing assistance and evacuees who were homeless prior to the hurricane will be eligible for rental assistance through public housing authorities that can be used anywhere in the country.
EMANUEL, from VIRGINIA writes: Alphonso Jackson On Friday, Secretary Chertoff and I announced a plan that will accelerate the distribution of federal assistance and provide transitional housing to all victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The first step is to register with FEMA by either visiting their website, www.fema.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA. If you were in HUD assisted housing prior to the hurricane then HUD along with local housing authorities will provide you with fair market value rental assistance for up to eighteen months in the locality of your choice.
Joseph, from Enterprise, Alabama
writes: Alphonso Jackson
Once again, I want to urge all displaced families to register for the HUD / FEMA Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program. This is an excellent opportunity for evacuees to begin to put their lives back together so I encourage them to sign up as soon as possible. They can do so by calling 1 (800) 621-FEMA or registering online at www.fema.gov. |