Housing for Katrina victims

[Rita]

I heard there were some NOLA residents enrolling in SoWal High today.

Wow. Hadn't even thought about school. Definitely another major concern for evacuees as well as school districts enrolling them!

 

[TooFarTampa]

Re: Thank You TooFarTampa

Thanks to TooFarTampa (Sharon) for helping out with the four I posted about earlier. They are also having to bring their parents over from Pass Christian, MS.

THANK YOU!

WU -- I did indeed speak with them, and they ended up not using my house because of other issues, though we were going to accommodate them. But wow what a story. WU's friend's parents had a home in Pass Christian, and they rode the storm out because they did not want to leave their five dogs. Their home is now literally gone. I have no idea how they survived.

They were able to find a pet friendly place and a non pet friendly place in the same area, in Blue Mountain Beach, for what sounded like really good rates too. :clap_1:

We are probably going to end up making our home available to some sales reps from my husband's company who have nowhere to go. If not, we'll figure something else out.

Thanks WU for bringing this issue/need to our attention! :clap_1:

 

[SoWalSally]

I hear a lot of people who never rent their homes are contacting agencies to make them available. :clap_1:

 

[ssm2005]

We have a home in WaterColor and are offering our home at a steeply discounted rate for those displaced from Katrina. If anyone knows of any familes, friends, etc. needing housing, please have them contact me at 205-792-6129 or sanders9874@yahoo.com.

Another friend and WaterColor owner is offering a long term rental in their 4 bedroom house in WaterColor as well. You can contact me about this home as well.

 

[beachmouse]

Wow. Hadn't even thought about school. Definitely another major concern for evacuees as well as school districts enrolling them!

Sounds like they're starting to show up everywhere.

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/NEWS01/50831013/1006

Young evacuees showing up at local schools
Michael Stewart
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
ADVERTISEMENT

Area school officials are beginning to see students from storm-ravaged areas in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana show up at local schools.

More are expected to arrive, many with no homes, spare clothes or school records.

?We believe we will have a huge influx by Friday,? said Paula Shea, Florida Department of Education director of governmental relations.

Escambia County School District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Paul Fetsko said 19 children showed up at elementary schools to enroll Wednesday. The schools were closed by Hurricane Katrina and are scheduled to reopen Thursday.

?We had two vans at Woodham High School,? Fetsko said.

In Santa Rosa County, Fetsko?s counterpart, Tim Wyrosdick, said eight students from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana enrolled Wednesday.

?Those are just the ones I know about,? Wyrosdick said. ?I think we will see more of that.?

The numbers were even greater in Okaloosa County, where School Superintendent Don Gaetz attributed a 100-student spike Wednesday to Hurricane Katrina.

?We expect to see more (today) and more after that,? Gaetz said.

Wyrosdick said he doesn?t expect a major influx of students.

Others are not so sure.

Escambia Superintendent Jim Paul said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates the number of refugees in Southeastern states at 300,000. Several hundred refugees have taken shelter at the Pensacola Civic Center alone.

Gaetz said he was told by an official at Eglin Air Force Base to expect an influx of students from Keesler Air Force Base at Biloxi, which was badly damaged.

?He wasn?t in a position to say how many or how soon,? Gaetz said.

School officials in all three counties said they will do whatever it takes to enroll the children, but admitted the process might be rough. With many schools flooded, badly damaged or destroyed, getting previous school records might be impossible.

With no records and no proof of immunizations, many of the children will likely need to take their shots over again and undergo physicals.

?Then there?s the emotional side,? Fetsko said. ?Some of these children may have seen some horrific things firsthand and may need some assistance.?

There?s also the question of class-size regulations and whether a sudden influx could put the schools over their student-teacher ratios.

Officials in all three counties said their priority is to serve the students and worry about class-size requirement later.

 

[Paula]

I contacted our rental agency to tell them that one of our cottages is available much of the fall for people who need a place to stay. It is booked on and off, but would be available the rest of the time. So, just let your agencies know to make your place(s) available to people affected by the hurricane.

 

[Denise]

Found other sources to get the word out about availability for evacuees. Citizen Services (Walton County) 850-892-8530; Beach Care (PC Beach) 850-236-9171; Citizen Services (Escambia County) 850-595-0438. You can also email katrina@clearchannel.com

Still doing research to find services available for evacuees once they are here and have a place to stay.

I can be contacted at 850-534-0841 if anyone would like to contact me. We are offering at least winter rates - monthly, etc. to assist evacuees in this horrible situation.

Below also is a North Florida Motorist Advisory - most of you may have already seen this. We have been getting telephone calls from our guests regarding cancellations.

Limited Gasoline Supplies
Santa Rosa Beach, FL August 31, 2005 15:30 CST The message below is from Florida Department of Transportation...

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has set-up three (3) Variable Message Boards (VMBs) on westbound I-10 to alert motorists that fuel supplies are limited in the panhandle area. The VMBs are sited on westbound I-10 just west of I-75 exit; westbound I-10 just west of US 19 exit; and westbound I-10 just west of US 90 exit. The wording reads"Limited supplies of fuel available west of Tallahassee" Tommie Speights, District Three Public Information Director

You Can Help...
Walton County Citizen Services as well as the TDC are working to ease visitor's concerns by providing the following tips:
1. Carpool with family and friends if possible; 2. Fuel up prior to entering South Walton County; 3. Practice fuel conservation (choose restaurants, shopping and amenities that are close to your accommodations; walk or bike to these locations)

 

[Miss Kitty]

WaterColor did send a letter to us via email yesterday. They are asking us to rent out at winter rates. I was ready to do it for free, but will follow their lead since I am a renter.

 

[Lisa_at_the_beach]

I've read/heard that many people are posting on Craigslist.....

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/apa/

You might post a message there as it may reach more readers...

L

 

[Miss Kitty]

I've read/heard that many people are posting on Craigslist.....

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/apa/

You might post a message there as it may reach more readers...

L

Wow...is this a great country or what? I am so glad to see this much generosity... but not surprised by my fellow Americans.