AP: FEMA to Restart Katrina Housing Program

[Eugene]

FEMA to Restart Katrina Housing Program


Monday December 18, 2006 10:46 PM

By MATT APUZZO

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Under a court order, the Bush administration will
restart a housing program for Hurricane Katrina victims early this week
and begin explaining to thousands of evacuees why their aid was
cut off this summer.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled last month that the Federal
Emergency Management Agency violated the Constitution when it
eliminated short-term housing assistance and provided victims only
confusing computer-generated codes to explain its decision.

FEMA officials testified in court Monday that it could restore the
system this week but did not say how soon Texas families could begin
receiving monthly checks of about $750. Officials also said they were
working to produce easily understandable letters from an outdated
computer system to explain why the aid was eliminated and how to
appeal the decision.

"Maybe we can get this thing jump-started and get these people a roof
over their heads before Christmas," said Leon, who first ordered the
agency to comply three weeks ago.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6289329,00.html

[babylonsister]

1. So it took a court order for them to do the right thing by our citizens.

Thanks go to U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for compelling them.

[pinto]

2. Good move, imo, Judge Leon.

And this snip about a FEMA official is telling:

Brian Verburg, the chief of FEMA's National Processing Service Center in Virginia, testified that the agency's computer system was not designed to produce letters in plain English, only in program codes. He said officials are working long hours to get the letters out.

``We may make mistakes occasionally but we're not a bunch of people sitting around just dragging our feet,'' Verburg said.

:eyes:

[partylessinOhio]

3. What's with this BS that their system isn't up to snuff?

If all else fails - get your damn IBM Selectric out and TYPE a letter. Would their fingers fall off if they did some work?

[pinto]

5. I know. I don't get the reasoning either.

My concern is that extremist Republicans really want to dismantle federal programs geared towards providing assistance (read dollars) to those in need and that mismanagement is of little concern in their big picture.

Long as they cut their budgets, all is well, it seems, in the anti-government right wing.

My gut view is tempered, though, with the history of FEMA as a flagship agency, when it was a stand alone entity with a clear mission and cadre of experienced management personnel. I hope there are enough "old timers" around to set things right.

[aquart]

6. Or look up Craigslist and buy a PIII for $75 and discover the world of pc files.

Or can't you do that with a FEMA credit card?

[San Diego]

4. "An outdated computer system"

Can someone please explain how the world's supposed greatest superpower has to rely on outdated computer equipment?

[NanceGreggs]

7. Especially a department that wasted millions ...

... of taxpayer dollars in the Katrina aftermath. If I were the judge on this hearing, I would have locked these people in jail cells -- where they'd stay until every last letter went out.

Welcome to DU, San Diego! :hi:

[KamaAina]

8. Because Halliburton is selling all the new stuff to Iraq

:tinfoilhat: