Housing Resources for Katrina Evacuees
-An Update on how to receive and list housing opportunities throughout
Northern California-
For immediate release (9/14/2005)
"In New Orleans I was only paying $100 a month for a two bedroom.
Here I've been looking and the cheapest I could find was $900. I can't
afford that."
This is an example of the calls that Eden I&R has been receiving
on its Community Housing And Information Network (CHAIN) phone lines from
Hurricane Katrina evacuees and their advocates. The majority of the callers
represent large extended families who want to remain together for emotional
and financial support. Currently they are living with relatives or friends
in over-crowded and tenuous conditions.
Eden I&R currently maintains a database of over 50,000 housing units
throughout Alameda County. Throughout the past few days, Eden I&R
has received phone calls from large housing developers, as well as small
property owners, who are able to reduce their income requirements for
temporary and permanent housing on behalf of Katrina victims.
On behalf of people needing to relocate due to Hurricane Katrina, the
agency has created a parallel database that lists temporary, shared and
permanent housing opportunities throughout Northern California. We are
working in conjunction with the Red Cross, government departments, housing
developers and multiple community based organizations in order to match
the needs of people looking for housing, with housing units that meet
their needs.
For property owners, or people willing to share their homes, it is important
to realize that it is difficult for Katrina evacuees to obtain income
and/or employment verification. It is also difficult to pay the hefty
move-in costs associated with California rental units. Therefore we are
asking property owners to consider lowering rents to $600 a month for
six months giving relocation victims a chance to assess where they want
to live in the long-term.
Based on information provided by social service workers in the Gulf Region,
we are also advising home owners that people being relocated could experience
post traumatic stress symptoms; and verifying such things as criminal
justice backgrounds are very difficult at this time.
Because information related to resources available for Hurricane Katrina
evacuees is changing on a daily basis, Eden I&R is seeking additional
volunteers to help keep the agency’s health, housing, and human
services databases up to date. This information is needed to help people
with supportive housing services such as child care, legal aid and mental
health referrals.
Important Eden I&R phone numbers:
To Offer Housing: 510-727-9565 (Housing Dept, Monday thru Friday 9am-5pm)
To Receive Services: 510-537-2552 (CHAIN, Monday thru Friday 10am-4pm)
To Volunteer or Donate: 510-537-2710 (Administration, Mon thru Fri 8:30am-5pm)
For further information, call Barbara Bernstein, Eden I&R Executive
Director, 510-537-2710. For tax-deductible contributions please send a
check made payable to Eden I&R at 570 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541.
For additional program information visit Eden I&R’s agency website
at www.edenir.org, and Eden I&R’s services website at www.alamedaco.info.
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