[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ONGOING HOUSING CRISIS ON THE GULF COAST

  (Mr. JEFFERSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, after almost 9 months, I suppose it 
doesn't surprise anyone to hear that FEMA is failing the citizens of 
the gulf coast. In the wake of the storms, FEMA expressly advised the 
survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that they could expect 1 year 
of assistance. Moreover, section 408 of the Stafford Act provides for 
18 months of assistance to victims of natural disasters.
  Yet just 9 months after these devastating storms, FEMA is working 
feverishly, not to house the victims of the hurricanes but to terminate 
their housing assistance, to kick them out into the street without any 
assurance that the survivors will be able to find housing for 
themselves or their families.
  Why? Because FEMA says it's time to move on. May 31 is the deadline. 
After that, you're on your own.
  There is a reason the Stafford Act provides for more than $20,000 in 
aid per household and for up to 18 months of assistance. The Stafford 
Act, unlike FEMA, recognizes that every disaster is different and that 
each disaster cannot be treated the same.
  Over the next few months, our State's housing plan, The Road Home, 
will be up and running; SBA loan funds will begin to flow into 
homeowners' hands; insurance claims will be resolved and paid; and then 
the people of New Orleans will begin rebuilding in earnest.
  The President has the authority to issue waivers, to make adjustments 
to accommodate the survivors. FEMA also can behave more reasonably, 
more humanely. Until FEMA has a workable plan for transitional housing 
for these American survivors, it must not evict them. To do so is 
unconscionable.

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