FEMA, HUD get more heat for post-Katrina relocation

The Federal Emergency Mangement Agency and the Housing and Urban Development Department came under fresh criticism Friday for failing to finish relocating the remaining displaced residents of 2005's Hurricane Katrina who live in temporary trailers.

At a House Transportation and Infrastructure Economic Development Subcommittee hearing, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., asked officials from both agencies about how to best relocate the trailer residents, noting that her subpanel estimated there are 4,052 temporary housing units in use after the Katrina Housing Program was terminated May 1.

Although the federal government could not allow people that refuse permanent housing options to stay in trailers just "because they prefer it that way," Norton said, FEMA, HUD and the Louisiana Housing Authority's case management is not helping many elderly and disabled residents settle.

Frederick Tombar, a senior adviser to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, responded that Section 8 housing is available in the Baton Rouge, La., and New Orleans areas and that the agency is prioritizing elderly and disabled residents.

FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator David Garratt said the agency notified residents in April that they would need to vacate their trailers by May 30. After that, Garratt said, FEMA "will follow established legal processes, which may include the Department of Justice seeking orders from federal courts." But he added the agency has worked to connect residents that need more time to state social services.

The assertions by both officials were discounted by Louisiana Episcopal Diocese Bishop Charles Jenkins, who said FEMA's idea of case management was handing residents a list of phone numbers. "You can call those numbers and no one answers," he added.

Jenkins, who has run a private rebuilding organization, suggested Congress should provide strict short-term progress deadlines and hold more frequent accountability hearings.