Gulf states ask for help for storm survivors

Real Estate Weekly, Sept 14, 2005

Not-for-profit Georgia Real Estate Investors Association (GaREIA) is requesting that housing providers or those who wish to extend housing or related assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina, especially those with vacant multi-family units, contact the Association.

GaREIA will compile the information received and forward to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

HUD and DHS are looking specifically to the apartment community to identify vacant multi-family housing units in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Southern Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia for short-term use to assist those forced from their homes by to Hurricane Katrina.

Housing providers that wish to extend housing or related assistance in conjunction with governmental agencies should email gareia@gareia.org.

GaREIA will compile all submitted information received and forward it to HUD and DHS directly. GaREIA will not perform as a clearinghouse nor will it be performing any resident placements.

The information provided will be sent directly to the listed governmental agencies so that they, in turn, can contact property owners directly as the need dictates. "GaREIA thanks you for your assistance in this tragic disaster," said Michelle Carey, GaREIA President.

"We pray that all will find a welcome home in the great state of Georgia."

Property owners that wish to submit information do not have to be members of GaREIA. This request is open to all relevant property owners.

HUD is attempting to allow Section 8 project-based assistance to be portable to deal with this disaster.