Further on those federal housing payments

Following up on yesterday's HUD/DHS rent payment announcement, we've now got a "fact sheet" from FEMA on how it's all supposed to work. Not too much more detail but at least a definite statement that rent payments "will be extended for qualifying evacuees up to 18 months." There's more detail in the transcript of yesterday's Jackson/Chertoff press conference. There, Secretary Jackson said something that made it a little unclear whether the same $2358 would go to everyone for the first three months:

As Secretary Chertoff said, he gave you a round figure. Some communities will charge more; some will be less. But that is an average figure of about $785 a month. Again, we are doing this to make sure that the evacuees have accessibility to quality, decent and safe housing.

Chertoff warned: "...we anticipate that we're going to start sending the checks out or making deposits beginning next week, in the early part of the week," but given the scale of the project, "I anticipate that it will be a matter of a couple of days or maybe more before checks actually get in people's hands. Obviously, direct deposit works more quickly, and those who have registered with us for direct deposit will get the money that way." The money, he said, was likely to be "a couple billion dollars" of spending, paid for at present by Congress' supplemental disaster relief appropriation. "...I don't want to anticipate now whether it will be necessary to go back. Certainly this money is included within the scope of the supplemental, current supplemental."

See the rest of the transcript for discussion of immigrants, trailers, the Rita evacuation, and more.

FEMA also has posted a warning sheet against "half-truths and misunderstandings" that could delay eligibility for aid. The advice tells displaced people that they do not have to be poor to apply for FEMA or Small Business Administration aid, nor without other sources of help, and there is no need to wait for private insurance or loan approvals before also applying to the government. A note to landlords: this document suggests some renters who lost their apartments may still not understand that there is help available to them.

[UPDATE: FEMA has posted a disaster aid FAQ. Some odd language here that might be worth attention for folks not planning to rebuild as before:

The funds you receive for disaster assistance do not have to be spent. However, if you receive disaster assistance in the form of a check, please be advised the check is good for only 12 months. Furthermore, FEMA may audit the use of disaster assistance funds provided to you at any time within three years.

So people don't have to spend their relief money but they may have to show proof of what they did do with it? Sounds confusing. Any offers of clarification much appreciated here.]