HUD PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SEMINAR TO ASSIST LOCAL LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REBUILDING EFFORTS OF GULF COAST COMMUNITIES

HUD OPENS HOUSING ASSISTANCE CENTERS TO HELP KATRINA EVACUEES
Former HUD-assisted families can get immediate long-term help

BILOXI - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Southeast Regional Director Bob Young opened a seminar today, Friday, November 18, 2005, in Biloxi, Mississippi's City Hall, 140 Lameuse Street, that provided information on the programs and support available to assist in the rebuilding of Gulf Coast Communities affected by the recent hurricane disasters. Handouts were provided and individual consultations were given during the seminar
on the following subjects: America's Affordable Communities Initiative, Energy Star Program, HUD Healthy Homes Program, HUD Community Planning and Development Programs, HUD Single Family Housing Programs/FHA, and HUD Multifamily Housing Programs. Participants included Mayors and City and County Officials of the Gulf coast areas, Builders, Contractors, Lenders, Realtors, Faith-based Organizations and other organizations working with Hurricane Katrina disaster recovery in Mississippi and Alabama.

HUD Regional Director Bob Young today also announced the opening of HUD Katrina Disaster Assistance Centers located in the Mississippi Gulf Coast affected Katrina disaster areas. Young made the national announcement on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at an event in Decatur/DeKalb County Georgia. The Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII Center in Gulfport is located at: 2909 26th Avenue, Gulfport, MS (228) 863-6272. There are also
two satellite offices of the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII available to assist Katrina Disaster Victims:
4692 US Highway 49, Hattiesburg, MS (228) 475-8211 and 4901 Tanner Street, Moss Point, MS (228) 475-8211.

In an effort to give Hurricane Katrina evacuees more long-term housing options, HUD has opened 12 housing assistance centers in areas with the greatest concentration of evacuees. The centers were established to get
more HUD assisted families housed who were displaced after Katrina. The objective is to house those families
through HUD's Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP). In this region, there are Katrina Disaster
Center Assistance Team (KDCAT) Centers in Gulfport Mississippi (228) 863-6272, Decatur/DeKalb County Georgia (404) 270-2105, Memphis Tennessee (901) 544-4248, and Birmingham Alabama (205) 214-3964.

Former HUD public housing residents, HUD Section 8 voucher holders, HUD multifamily units receiving rental
assistance and HUD-assisted homeless are eligible for this free housing assistance program for up to 18 months anywhere in the United States. Families who were homeless prior to Katrina are also eligible for this assistance.

"Unfortunately, the temporary housing - hotels, motels and shelters - will end sooner than later and families need
the means to return to a normal way of life," said HUD Regional Director Southeast Bob Young. "We are opening
these centers to encourage families who received HUD assistance in New Orleans, Biloxi, Gulfport, Birmingham or any area devastated by Katrina to take advantage of HUD's program that was created specifically for Katrina families."

HUD is asking that families register for KDHAP by visiting the center nearest you or by calling the KDHAP Processing Center directly at the toll free number 1-866-373-9509 by December 30, 2005. If families do not fall in any of the KDHAP categories, they may be eligible for the FEMA housing assistance program. Families may call 1-800-621-3362.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as
enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

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