Is there any assisstance being offered for people who are housing people that have no homes due to Rita, our household went from 2 to 6 and i hate to ask for assistance from the families but utility bills are higher than usual. Was just wondering if anyone heard anything on this.

Mick

It takes a special family to open their home to others.
Have not heard of any specific assistance for what you are doing.

Adventist Cmmunity Service 1-800-344-8070
Catholic Charity 703-549-1390
Christan Disaster Responce 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554
Americas Second Harvest 1-800-344-8070
Salvation Army 678-225-0885 8AM - 6PM

Red Cross Get Info 866-GET-INF0 (866-438-4636) also has a list of additional support organizations.

Opus

Yes, Fema does have a progran for people that open thier home to evacuee's. Also you quallify for food stamps.Contact FEMA.

What I have found out about housing evacuee's! Yes there is a program to help pay the head of household, but there are drawbacks. The drawback is, they will be last to get FEMA help with housing, as according to FEMA, they are house, because FEMA is footing the bill. So while it may be good for the home owner, it hurts the ones trying to get a trailer, when they get a spot to place it. If anyone is interested in the program, go to the FEMA website or call FEMA and tell them you wish to house evacuee's. Then you call them if you are already housing evacuee's.

Or you sure about FEMA paying for that...A relative of mine was housing seventeen relatives and when she called to ask FEMA about getting help with these people that FEMA personal told her no she couldn't get any help....Red cross told her the same thing as well as no to food stamps....

My poor relative had to support seventeen people in her one bedroon apartment...She did get money though...However it came from the people who took shelter in her home...

You just have to get by the red tape. Like I said before, you have to sign up for the FEMA program to house evacuee's. Then after you are signed up, you inform them you have some evacuee's in mind to house. There is paper work to fill out, or you can write a letter to you sen. or congress person, and request that they file that you are housing evacuee's. But you must apply to FEMA first, saying you will house evacuee's. But let me make it perfectly clear, there is a gamble, that they will not allow you to pick the evacuee's you house. They place everyone through a sreening, so the folks in your house will have to go through a screen test as well. I wish I could tell you it was a simple proceeder, but it is not. Just wanted to make you aware, there is a program.


&A:
About Aid to Communities Assisting Hurricane Evacuees
Q. Who are eligible applicants under the Section 403 sheltering program?
A. State agencies and local governments are eligible applicants. Reimbursement for applicant labor costs is governed by public assistance (PA) regulations; labor costs for full and part-time regular employees are limited to overtime; eligible labor costs for extra hires include regular time and overtime. Work performed by contract will be reimbursed in accordance with the terms of the contract.
Q. Can private nonprofit (PNP) organizations that shelter evacuees be reimbursed as an applicant under the PA Program?
A. Only state and local governments can be reimbursed as applicants under the PA Program for sheltering evacuees. However, PNPs can be reimbursed for eligible costs through a state or local government if a written statement from an eligible applicant is provided certifying that the PNP provided services on its behalf and the expenses are documented.
Q. Is a state/local government eligible for PA funding for sheltering self-evacuees?
A. Yes. The method of evacuation does not affect the eligible cost for shelter. Only eligible PA applicants will be reimbursed for eligible sheltering costs. Host families are not eligible to receive funding for the costs of housing evacuees.
Q. Do leases for interim housing have to be between the PA applicant (state or local government) and the lessor?
A. Yes. Leases have to be between the PA applicant or its agent (i.e., a PNP or contractor) and the lessor. If an evacuee enters directly into a lease agreement, the costs will not be eligible for reimbursement under the PA program. Individuals cannot serve as contractors to a PA applicant. However, these individuals may be eligible for assistance under the Individual and Households Program (IHP) and, if so, have probably already received a check for $2,358 under the Transitional Assistance Housing program.
Q. What information must a PA applicant submit to support reimbursement for interim sheltering costs?
A. An applicant must submit the following information to support its reimbursement request: name of head of household; number of household members; FEMA registration number (if available); address of damaged home; address of interim housing; name and mailing address of lessor; number of months evacuee resided in interim housing; term of lease in months; monthly rent; furniture costs; penalties (if claimed).
Q. Will FEMA accept retroactive agreements/contracts between faith-based organizations and state and local governments that are PA program applicants?
A. Yes. A written statement must be provided by an eligible applicant verifying that the faith-based organization performed sheltering operations on its behalf and the expenses must be documented. The written statement may be completed after the sheltering activities occurred.