WASHINGTON, DC. As federal partners link the existing emergency infrastructure to those in need, the response from all sectors to Hurricane Katrina continues to build. The internal Task Force of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, created last week by Council Executive Director Philip Mangano to ensure that the needs of homeless persons in the affected areas will be a priority in all present and future stabilization and recovery efforts, has been reporting regularly on developments in the field. Led by Region IV Coordinator and 16-year FEMA veteran Michael German, whose regional responsibilities include Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, the Task Force has re-established contact with homeless programs displaced from affected areas and is steadily assessing need.

Mr. German has been in contact with regional federal offices across the southern states, hearing of their coordinated efforts to provide assistance to those leaving the stricken area, and the success of evacuations of both homeless persons and program staff. For example, some New Orleans programs were evacuated to Houston, Baton Rouge, and other areas and are still re-establishing communications. Programs from Gulfport and Biloxi were able to evacuate some clients to northern areas of the state. Programs are identifying the extent of damage to their sites and needs ranging from transportation barriers to ensuring continuity for prescriptions. Key state homeless contacts, such as Alabama's new Interagency Council for the Homeless, operated by the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives in the Governor's office, has appealed for housing, shelter, clothing, food, jobs, and transportation that can be made available to survivors.

Region VI Coordinator Sally Shipman met this week with the Regional Federal Interagency Council for Region VI, which includes Louisiana and Texas. She has reported on the work of emergency assistance centers along the I-45 corridor between Houston and Dallas, initiatives by local motels to open their doors for 2-week stays for those in need, and developing efforts to ensure educational access for students at every level, including college.

With housing need a top priority, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is being aided from a wide variety of sources across the nation including state parks, military bases, available housing stock and private homes. Other housing options already being implemented or considered by FEMA include deployment of thousands of FEMA emergency trailers; use of military facilities; contracting for hotels and motels; contracting rentals and other vacant properties; assistance from state and local governments and businesses; and generosity of friends and other private citizens opening their homes to evacuees.

The Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC) has activated the National Emergency Resource Registry. The NERR will assist the coordination efforts between the private and public sectors. If you or your organization / agency / corporation have resources that may be made available, please list them in this Resource Registry. Most needed are baby food, housing, transportation, and emergency supplies. Register to provide resources at https://www.swern.gov/

WASHINGTON, DC. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) successfully evacuated the most critically ill patients from the VA Medical Center in New Orleans, and VA officials are now establishing procedures for family members to locate patients evacuated from affected facilities. Officials are also finalizing procedures for veterans from the hurricane area to receive benefits checks and prescription drugs. "The safety of our patients is paramount for all VA employees," said VA Secretary and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair R. James Nicholson.

VA has set up a toll-free number for veterans who normally receive health care at VA facilities in New Orleans, and Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi. The number can also be used by family members concerned about the location of veterans who were hospitalized at those facilities. The Gulfport facility has been closed, and the New Orleans medical center has been evacuated. The Biloxi facility is still operational.

The VA number is 1/800-507-4571. It will be staffed continuously for the duration of the emergency. By calling that number, people can find out about: receiving health care for veterans evacuated from the storm area; receiving prescription drugs for veterans in the stricken area; locating evacuated VA patients; and any other health care questions for veterans in the area affected by the storm. The volunteer corps of VA has assisted veterans for nearly 60 years; people wishing to help should contact their nearest VA facility and ask for the Voluntary Service Office.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson also announced new steps to address need in the region. "We understand the pain that these families are going through," he said. "We are committed to giving those families the security of having a roof over their heads as soon as possible - even if it's a temporary solution."

In an effort to "meet the immediate housing needs of those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed," HUD is sending employees to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster field offices, Secretary Jackson announced. The housing agency is also compiling inventories of empty multifamily housing, public housing units and other vacant homes that could provide temporary shelter. Individuals in declared counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll free registration line at 1/800-621-FEMA (3362); for the hearing impaired TTY 800-462-7585.

The Department of Labor last week announced grants to help displaced workers earn money while they look for permanent jobs. "Our hearts go out to the people of New Orleans and the communities throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who face many challenges as they recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "These grants will provide up to $116 million to create temporary jobs that will mean paychecks for thousands of dislocated workers and will help to clean-up, rebuild and repair their communities."

The National Emergency Grants will help states pay citizens who assist in the cleanup. Initial installments of $1.3 million in Alabama and $16.6 million in Mississippi have been released. The Mississippi disbursement will be used to create up to 10,000 temporary jobs for people providing food, shelter, and other services to fellow Mississippians. State officials will administer the grants. Individuals seeking unemployment assistance from the impacted areas and at evacuation sites should call the U.S. Department of Labor toll-free at 1/866-4-USA-DOL (1/866-487-2365) for information on registering for unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance.

The Small Business Administration is sending loan officers to the FEMA assistance centers to help help disburse loans of up to $200,000 each to repair damaged homes, and of up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property including furniture and clothing. Small companies can apply for up to $1.5 million to fix offices, machinery and damaged inventory. SBA provided $2.1 billion to help to 64,500 home and business owners in the aftermath of hurricanes last summer.

The Social Security Administration has announced new measures to ensure that victims of Hurricane Katrina will receive benefits. According to SSA, the agency will grant hurricane victims duplicate benefits if they don't receive original checks sent by the agency or if direct deposits fail to go through. Beneficiaries can go to SSA offices to receive emergency payments. SSA representatives are already working at FEMA emergency stations in affected areas. SSA is also working with the United States Postal Service to set up temporary locations where people can pick up essential mail, including Social Security checks. Some temporary sites already have opened in Mississippi. SSA's Public Affairs officials are also working to publicize these services. Information on local SSA offices is available at 1/800- 772-1213. For information on temporary mail pickup locations, visit USPS' National Mail Service Update Page.

The potential effect of this variety of federal efforts to respond will be to prevent the long-term homelessness of those who are victims of the Katrina disaster.

WASHINGTON, DC. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has announced that HUD has established a Public and Indian Housing Resource Information Center, and a toll-free number, 1/800- 955-2232, to assist displaced public housing residents and Section 8 voucher holders. Through its 80 field offices, HUD has also provided policy guidance to the nation's 3,200 Public Housing Authorities on how to assist displaced families as they relocate to other areas.

"We have had a number of Public Housing Authorities (PHA) nationwide from as far away as Ohio and Pennsylvania, step up to this challenge, and immediately start making all their vacant units accessible for displaced families," said Secretary Jackson. "We will be working with all the PHA's, around the clock, to help restore that sense of security a family has when there is a roof over their head."

In other measures, Secretary Jackson has instructed all FHA-approved lenders to provide foreclosure relief to FHA-insured families who are affected by Hurricane Katrina. The relief includes a special 90-day moratorium on all foreclosures of FHA-insured properties in the Presidentially declared disaster areas. Secretary Jackson is also encouraging lenders to undertake actions such as mortgage modification, refinancing, and waiver of late charges.

Following President Bush's federal disaster declaration, HUD began providing staff to Disaster Field Offices set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. HUD's initial concern is to help meet the immediate housing needs of those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. HUD is also reaching out to its private sector partners such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties for assistance. HUD is contacting top mortgage lenders about their inventory of repossessed homes; the homebuilding industry for help with building materials and supplying construction workers; its housing counseling network to assist displaced homeowners; and the manufactured housing industry about available housing stock.

In addition, HUD will identify vacant multi-family housing and HUD-owned homes that could be used as temporary housing for those forced from their homes. For more information about temporary housing go to FEMA's Web site or call 1-800-621-3362. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME grantees may reprogram previously awarded grants to redirect their focus to disaster recovery activities but grantees must request the reprogram from HUD. HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables homebuyers and homeowners who have lost their homes to finance both the purchase and/or refinancing of a house and the cost of its rehabilitation through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single- family home. This program encourages lenders to make mortgages available to borrowers who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms and to residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods. HUD has a special mortgage insurance program under Section 203(h) of the National Housing Act to assist disaster victims. Under this program, individuals or families whose residences were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary are eligible for 100 percent financing. HUD will provide Indian Community Development Block Grant funding (up to $300,000 per grantee) for disaster relief for Indian Housing and Tribal areas.

WASHINGTON, DC. The federal Health Care for the Homeless program has stepped up to respond to Hurricane Katrina with key resources for communities and homeless people. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Care for the Homeless programs are making dozens of volunteer medical professionals available to affected parts of the country to support relief and recovery efforts.

Working with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, HCH is also directing copies of its manual, The Health Care of Homeless Persons: A Manual of Communicable Diseases & Common Problems in Shelters & on the Streets, by overnight delivery to FEMA for distribution to emerging shelters in Alabama and Mississippi. Distribution is forthcoming to areas of Louisiana and Texas which will see the bulk of those in need. HCH programs throughout the country expect to see a surge in patients as those displaced by the storm seek shelter in other communities.

The practical, highly informative guidebook is a resource for clinics, shelters, service sites, and housing facilities affected by the markedly poor health of homeless persons. "This manual provides an expert resource for understanding and addressing specific physical health problems of homeless people, and to respond more appropriately and effectively," stated John Lozier, Executive Director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. For others working in the affected areas or with those fleeing affected communities, the manual is also available on- line for download at www.nhchc.org/manual.html

Edited by Dr. James O'Connell of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, the heavily illustrated 384-page manual describes 36 serious health problems that frequently afflict homeless persons and discusses appropriate responses and treatment. The manual addresses communicable disease control and food handling in shelter settings, and describes current approaches to the management of chronic diseases. Also included are convenient patient education materials in English and Spanish that can be easily reproduced for clients, staff, and volunteers.

Health Care for the Homeless is also broadly distributing the Center for Disease Control's Updates (available in several languages) on food and water safety, electrical hazards, and other key issues. See CDC UPDATES TO INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE: Aug 31-Sep 2, 2005 - Special Update: New and Updated Documents Relating to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane-Affected Areas - Keep Food and Water Safe after a Natural Disaster or Power Outage - Water Section Updated - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater.asp; Disinfecting Wells Following an Emergency - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/wellsdisinfect.asp; French Translation of: How to Protect Yourself and Others from Electrical Hazards Following a Natural Disaster - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/fr/pdf/electrical.pdf; French Translation of: Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery: Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/fr/pdf/recovery.pdf

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has responded to numerous recent inquiries from the private sector, as organizations work to create additional resources and opportunities for those in need following Hurricane Katrina. This story profiles two innovators whose initiatives the e-news has previously reported, and the ways in which they are responding to the hurricane's aftermath. HomeAid, a major developer of transitional housing for persons experiencing homelessness, has received a multi-million dollar grant from AmeriQuest Mortgage Company to address the mid and long term housing issues resulting from Katrina. Partnered with the building industry, HomeAid will use its well-established public/private model and its new seed money to create a prototype program in Houston with the Building Industry Association. This model will then be expanded to the Gulf Coast region more broadly.

Supported primarily through corporate donations, foundation grants, and individual contributions, HomeAid emergency and transitional facilities are owned and operated by non-profit partners and include specialized supportive counseling and job training services to achieve self-sufficiency. HomeAid's model provides for local communities to exercise choice in becoming partners. Building associations select a community provider and a specific project and then recruit a Builder Captain, a role HomeAid views as the centerpiece of its mission. The local HomeAid Chapter recruits the Builder Captain from among building industry professionals to play the lead role in the planned construction or renovation project. The Builder Captain then turns to trade partners (sub contractors, suppliers, and consultants) in the local building community to contribute labor, materials, and services to the construction or renovation project.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) program brings shelter, meals, and support services to families without homes in a cost-efficient, effective, and replicable community response to family homelessness. IHN is currently talking to its chapters to design a response to Hurricane Katrina. Based on site visits to both programs in the field, the Interagency Council, working with many partners, saw that the strengths, approaches, and record of HomeAid and Interfaith Hospitality Network were complementary parts to a larger goal of rapidly expanding community-based capacity for families in need. HomeAid and IHN are now exploring possible partnership in launching additional cost-effective capacity in emergency and transitional settings.

Because they make use of existing community resources, IHN sites can be implemented quickly, without major start-up costs. Hosting rotates weekly among the 10 to 12 host congregations in a Network. In turn, each host congregation provides lodging, three meals daily, and welcoming care. Network sites may also provide a Day Center, where guests use a local day center from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where the IHN director, a professional social worker, provides case management services. There, guests pursue employment, tend pre-school children, shower, and do laundry. The day center provides guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment searches. Many guests are employed during the day, while older children attend school.

Volunteers provide services including cooking and serving meals, playing with children or helping them with homework, and interacting with guests, with respect and compassion. Local social service agencies refer families to the Network. The agencies may also help guests find housing, jobs, and benefits. An IHN van transports guests to and from the day center. The van also carries bedding and luggage to the next host congregation.