Norton's First FEMA Hearing Focuses on New FEMA Controversies (3/20/07)

Norton's First FEMA Hearing Focuses on New FEMA Controversies
March 20, 2007

Washington, DC-Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today held the subcommittee's first hearing on the continuing failure to normalize the lives of victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita almost two years after the disasters. Entitled: "Post-Katrina Temporary Housing: Dilemmas and Solutions," the hearing examined the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) treatment of thousands of Katrina evacuees still housed in mobile homes or trailer parks in Louisiana while Arkansas citizens made homeless by recent tornados were refused unused trailers. The hearing also focused on FEMA's housing policy and draw suggestions for legislation or news approaches to remedy unprecedented problems. Norton's subcommittee has primary oversight and jurisdiction over FEMA. She postponed an introductory oversight hearing after learning that in Arkansas thousands of trailers owned by FEMA sat empty while a short distance away residents were trying to gain access to the trailers after a tornado had destroyed their homes. At the same time in Hammond, Louisiana, FEMA stirred controversy by abruptly relocating Katrina evacuees with only 48 hours notice. Pamela Williams, a Louisiana resident who was relocated, testifed.

Other witnesses included Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), FEMA Director David Paulison and Margery Austin Turner of the Urban Institute.