LITTLE ROCK, AR - Federal, state and local officials are aggressively seeking all available housing resources for Arkansas residents affected by the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes of May 2-12, said officials with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Housing assistance is FEMA's number one priority," said Federal Coordinating Officer Ken Riley. "We have been successful in locating alternative rental resources within the local communities of residents who were displaced from their homes."
The first step for residents who need temporary housing assistance is to register with FEMA. Lines (1-800-621-FEMA) are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Residents may also register online at www.fema.gov. Applicants who may qualify for FEMA housing will be contacted for a pre-placement interview. "The goal is to find suitable rental properties in the local area," said State Coordinating Officer Richard Griffin, of ADEM. "Moving into existing housing allows the family to re-establish their home quickly."
All reasonable means of providing temporary housing are being explored by FEMA including utilizing the Internet, local housing authorities, property management offices, and federal and state field personnel to locate possible rental resources in or around disaster-stricken areas. After a list of possible rental resources is compiled, which includes apartments, condominiums, and rental houses, FEMA housing specialists verify the rental resources.
Residents of Arkansas, Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden, Grant, Lonoke, Mississippi, Phillips, Pulaski, Saline, and Van Buren are eligible to apply for federal assistance. The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state's homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.
FEMA coordinates the Federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terrorism.
Source: FEMA.gov