City of Houston steps in to help hurricane victims

  

(4/05/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- The city of Houston is cutting a check to a local property managing company so dozens of hurricane evacuees will have a place to stay.

Inwood Grove apartment management was considering evicting 42 Hurricane Katrina evacuees because they have not been reimbursed for rent from FEMA since December. Tarantino management says FEMA owes them $88,000 for helping hurricane victims on this property alone. It's not clear what caused the delay, but evacuated families are breathing a sigh of relief.

"We're dealing with federal money and we have to meet with federal guidelines to make sure every penny that is spent is documented," said Building Services Director Issa Dadoush.

City officials say getting FEMA money to prospective landlords has been a challenge because there are at least 4,100 contracts plus a lot of government red tape.

Anyone with housing concerns or costs - either property owners, landlords helping evacuees, or evacuees themselves -- can call the Joint Hurricane Housing Task Force hurricane housing hot line. The number is 713-221-1636.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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