Louisiana Launches Sheltering Program After Hurricane Ida
Louisiana is launching a sheltering program for those living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions due to damage from Hurricane Ida.
The Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program will provide temporary housing to those in parishes heavily impacted by Ida where other shelter options are unavailable, according to a news release from Governor John Bel Edwards' office.
Hurricane Ida landed ashore near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Aug. 29, with powerful sustained winds of up to 150 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended 50 miles from Ida's center, reported CNN. At least 22 people died in Louisiana and Mississippi as a result of Ida.
Louisiana’s Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program was authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program aims to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus among households while allowing individuals to live as closely as possible as they repair their homes.
According to the press release, the goal is to have the first state-owned travel trailers staged in the designated parishes within the week. In the meantime, teams will begin assessing both group and private location sites.
“There is no doubt that there are people currently living in unsafe or unsanitary housing because of Hurricane Ida, which is not acceptable,” said Governor Edwards in the press release. “Housing is the biggest challenge facing those affected by this devastating storm, and our state-run sheltering program is a safe, creative, temporary solution to get more people closer to their homes as they rebuild.”
The program offers non-congregate sheltering, and sheltering options may include hotels, base camps, crew barges or recreational vehicles (RVs), including travel trailers that can hitch to an existing vehicle. The program is funded through FEMA and run entirely by the state.
To register for the program or find out what sheltering options are available in affected parishes visit IdaShelteringla.com or call (844) 268-0301 or for TTY services call (844) 458-1806. Residents can check the availability of shelters in their areas by texting LAShelter to 898211 or dial 211 to locate a shelter or by visiting www.getagameplan.org.
