WASHINGTON, DC. "Today we are offering residents more than just a roof over their head," said United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair Alphonso Jackson last Friday, as he joined United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to announce new federal housing initiatives and expedited assistance for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, including historically homeless persons. "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 reunite families and provide hope and healing to those who need it most."

The initiatives stem from the Administration's commitment to move all evacuees from shelter by mid-October. "Our goal is to use existing resources in an innovative way to help all displaced individuals and families move from temporary shelters to more stable, safe and sufficient housing," said Secretary Chertoff. "Through this coordinated effort, the Federal government is taking quick and immediate action to cut through red tape and deliver immediate assistance to evacuees."

The announcement of HUD's initiative by Secretary Jackson builds on the commitment he voiced at the September 13 full Council meeting where he was elected Council Chair and spoke to the importance of federal action and the distinction between finding shelter and housing for those affected. The target date for implementation of HUD's program, entitled "Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP)," is October 1. Evacuees can receive up to 18 months of assistance.

According to Friday's announcement, housing assistance is being expedited to all evacuees unable to meet immediate housing needs using combined efforts from FEMA and HUD that are based on the agencies' view that evacuees from the hardest-hit portions of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana generally fall into four distinct types of households: previous homeowners, renters, individuals who lived in public housing, and those who were homeless prior to the hurricane. FEMA's assistance is being targeted to the first two groups. HUD's KDHAP initiatives are directed to those who lived in public housing and those who were historically homeless at the time of Hurricane Katrina.

While the majority of evacuees will receive assistance through FEMA, some are eligible for comparable benefits under HUD's Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program. Those eligible for HUD's assistance are persons who are displaced public housing residents, displaced voucher participants, displaced families from other HUD assisted programs (e.g. 202, 811, Project-based Section 8, 236B), and pre-disaster homeless individuals directly affected by the disaster. To obtain assistance, you must register with FEMA (1/800-621-FEMA) and obtain a FEMA ID number, make a housing location decision with assistance from HUD and the Public Housing Authority, obtain transportation from FEMA, and, on arrival at a new location, work with the Public Housing Authority who will coordinate temporary shelter and housing search assistance.

The HUD KDHAP subsidy will equal the rent as specified in the lease (capped at 100% of local FMR for family's bedroom size), an actual security deposit amount (capped at 100% of local FMR for family's bedroom size), and actual deposits for utilities (capped at $325) There is no family contribution towards rent provided the rent for the unit does not exceed the FMR. The family will pay for any utilities not included in the rent.

Other HUD actions to date in response to the aftermath of Katrina include: establishing call centers and toll-free telephone numbers (1/888-297-8685) to assist HUD- assisted displaced families, PHAs and owners; surveying the entire HUD-assisted, inventory (public housing, project-based Section 8, 202, 811) to assess the availability of vacant units and available vouchers for temporary housing for displaced families; establishing a policy regarding the processing of public housing and voucher displaced families and provided guidance to HUD field offices, owners, agents and residents in multifamily housing regarding policies and procedures regarding disaster recovery efforts; and issuing waivers for major programs.