FEMA Reimburses Houston $101 Million for Housing Katrina Evacuees

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $101 million in public assistance grants to the State of Texas to reimburse the City of Houston for interim housing and temporary sheltering of Hurricane Katrina evacuees from the Gulf Coast.

Earlier, FEMA awarded $37.2 million to the City of Houston for interim costs related to housing evacuees who relocated temporarily to Houston due to Hurricane Katrina. The new grant covers the city’s incurred and anticipated costs for rentals, furniture, household goods and contracted professional services for inspections and project management.

“Houston stepped up to the plate to shelter Hurricane Katrina victims,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman, FEMA’s top official for disaster recovery operations in Texas. “We’re pleased to offer this reimbursement.”

“Texas is proud of its efforts to help hurricane victims and especially proud of Houston,” said State Coordinating Officer Frank Cantu, representing the Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM). “FEMA’s assistance is greatly appreciated.”