FEMA is attempting to contact residents across 12 parishes in regards to housing assistance after hurricanes Laura or Delta to make sure circumstances have not changed for these individuals who may now need assistance.
Gerard Hammink, media relations specialist/external affairs for FEMA, explained that at the time, residents may have filled paperwork that they required assistance and then moved in with relatives or friends, etc. He said circumstances may have changed, and these people do need housing assistance now. They are trying to make sure all residents have had the opportunity to acquire assistance if needed. The deadline to hear from residents is Friday, May 28. Applicants should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
Hammink said in those 12 parishes, there are about 1,500 households that have not responded back to FEMA. “Allen Parish households told FEMA they were OK—that they found a place to live or that they could remain in their home. FEMA was unable to reach about 20 Allen Parish households.”
In the parish, FEMA has 24 households living in FEMA units. Ten households are waiting to be placed in a unit, and three households lived in a FEMA unit for a time and then moved out.
Hammink said applicants may be eligible for direct temporary housing if they are homeowners or renters who meet the guidelines set by FEMA after damage occurred as the result of hurricanes Laura and/or Delta.
FEMA needs to hear from those:
•Applicants whose home was destroyed or received major damage from the hurricanes (based on the FEMA determination) and have not been contacted by FEMA to determine whether they need temporary housing.
•Applicants who initially indicated they did not need temporary housing assistance, but circumstances have changed, and they may now need housing assistance.
•Applicants who FEMA has been unable to contact to complete the interview. If you think you should have heard from FEMA or have additional information about the condition of your home, you should contact them by Friday, May 28.
Contact FEMA by calling the Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should alert FEMA as to the specific number assigned to that service.
