Nearly one year ago, over 400,000 people fled to Texas from Hurricane Katrina. Only weeks later, thousands more families were devastated by Hurricane Rita. Now, another crisis is looming that threatens to once again displace these families: a lack of long-term, affordable housing. This statewide hurricane housing forum brings together people from across the state to address the long-term housing needs of victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

 

This forum, held August 3, 2006, comes at a critical time, as thousands of families lose their temporary housing assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

Participants in the hurricane housing forum included evacuees, service providers, advocates, policy makers, researchers, and attorneys willing to join together to develop solutions and endorse specific initiatives that will ensure every evacuee has the opportunity to obtain an affordable and stable home in the community of their choice.