Judge Orders Bush Administration to Resume Paying for Katrina Housing

[windovervocalcords]

You know what; I will If I knew that much about it , which I really don't.

However, I think I will call up my pipeline. Back to you tomorrow. I'm very serious. I don't like to propose Ideas I know nothing about, or who's doing what down there.

My proposal is to presume that the people of NO want to get on their feet ASAP to start with.

 

[Marthatex]

My proposal is to presume that the people of NO want to get on their feet ASAP to start with.

Well, the majority anyway. There are a small percentage I'm sure who prefer to live on the dole, or have serious disabilites that require them to live on the dole.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Ha ha.

Actually I thought Bush Sr./Clinton were supposed to be the authority on all this.

Actually maybe I will call my friend who owns and Bed & Breakfast on Napolean Ave. and she could update me on all the goings on. I do have an information pipeline, I just haven't been connected of late.

I dunno if Daddy B and Clinton are much involved in NO - I know they were big on the Tsunami relief efforts.

Yes, some good NO info would be appreciated.

And BTW, your long post of questions/issues - all very good questions. An update would be interesting.

 

[GonzoReiter]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,232959,00.html

I just don't agree with this. The victims have had adequate time to get jobs and try to get back on their feet. I don't see where they "abrutptly" stopped paying. They had plenty of warning, from the start FEMA said it would only last 18 months.

WASHINGTON — A federal judge ordered the Bush administration Wednesday to immediately resume making housing benefits available to thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon said the Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to adequately explain why it ended the 18-month housing assistance program for people who lost their homes in the 2005 storm.

Leon's ruling was issued as a temporary injunction requested by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which filed suit in August saying FEMA had violated the rights of Katrina victims by abruptly stopping housing payments.

The judge ordered the federal agency to explain its reasoning and allow the displaced hurricane victims to appeal its decision. While that process goes forward, the judge said, FEMA must keep making payments and must pay storm victims for two months of housing since the decision to stop the program.​

back to case, ... I'd be interested in reading the opine from any of our Legal Beagles at WS. Is this ruling flawed in any way, or influenced by politics, etc. ?

anyone, anyone, Bueller?

 

[windovervocalcords]

Well, the majority anyway. There are a small percentage I'm sure who prefer to live on the dole, or have serious disabilites that require them to live on the dole.

There are always a few bad apples, some criminals, drug addicts, mentally ill, severely dyfunctional in any general population.

http://www.opportunityagenda.org/site/c.mwL5KkN0LvH/b.2039161/k.5531/Katrina_One_Year_Later__Cross_Issue.htm

 

[czechmate7]

Yes, monumental to say the least. But I figured they could "start small" and build from there. Some incentive for rebuilding, etc...and pride of ownership, etc.

I wish your community luck on any programs they have, as well. Even in our area, some areas need help. I know our City has a program for first-time homeowners with incentives to "work off" some of the down payment $$$, etc. I just thought it would be great to see those in FEMA trailers (and other hurricane victims) who really do want and need some assistance, to have opportunities.

I thought it would be an opportune time for some of the folks to learn a trade or skill ~ have classes/workshops etc.. at the shelters. Then they could go back into the community and help rebuild, make good $ and have a new, great skill...Wind, is this what you've tried in your community??

i'm stupid....what is "living on the dole"?

 

[windovervocalcords]

I thought it would be an opportune time for some of the folks to learn a trade or skill ~ have classes/workshops etc.. at the shelters. Then they could go back into the community and help rebuild, make good $ and have a new, great skill...Wind, is this what you've tried in your community??

i'm stupid....what is "living on the dole"?

Living on the dole is being on welfare. It presumes welfare recipients do not have to work. They have to work in my state. 32 hours a week for their welfare checks. Work out the math. Its serf wages.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I thought it would be an opportune time for some of the folks to learn a trade or skill ~ have classes/workshops etc.. at the shelters. Then they could go back into the community and help rebuild, make good $ and have a new, great skill...Wind, is this what you've tried in your community??

i'm stupid....what is "living on the dole"?

Very good idea! Just have no idea if anything like that has occurred yet :waitasec: It does seem like so many things could be done, rather than wasting all this time....

Living on the dole = gov't handouts, basically

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Living on the dole is being on welfare. It presumes welfare recipients do not have to work. They have to work in my state. 32 hours a week for their welfare checks. Work out the math. Its serf wages.

Is it still 2 yrs of welfare and then benefits are cut, or cut off? Do I remember correctly?

 

[czechmate7]

Living on the dole = gov't handouts, basically

Am I the only one who didn't know what that meant????:loser:

 

[windovervocalcords]

Is it still 2 yrs of welfare and then benefits are cut, or cut off? Do I remember correctly?

that's correct and criminals are not eligible even if they have children.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Leon's ruling was issued as a temporary injunction requested by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which filed suit in August saying FEMA had violated the rights of Katrina victims by abruptly stopping housing payments.

The judge ordered the federal agency to explain its reasoning and allow the displaced hurricane victims to appeal its decision. While that process goes forward, the judge said, FEMA must keep making payments and must pay storm victims for two months of housing since the decision to stop the program.[/INDENT]

back to case, ... I'd be interested in reading the opine from any of our Legal Beagles at WS. Is this ruling flawed in any way, or influenced by politics, etc. ?

anyone, anyone, Bueller?

Gonzo,

I also wondered about the actual ruling, as well. And what was "abruptly stopping?" How much notice did they actually have - 2 months? 12 months? I'm not sure.

But...I see you're from LA, and I don't know how far you are from the significantly damaged areas. Would you have any comments to make regarding what we've been talking about, as far as ways the displaced citizens could improve their own communities, improve their own work/career skills, etc.? Suggestions? We've read from some who have visited or traveled through - wonder what your perceptions have been.

 

[GonzoReiter]

My proposal is to presume that the people of NO want to get on their feet ASAP to start with.

The Louisiana Department of Labor has established a program that helps find jobs for the disabled and a number of companies now provide their employees with transportation.

for example, In October 2005 (post Katrina), Baton Rouge's unemployment rate was at 9.7% or 37,410 people. In October 2006, the unemployment rate has dropped to 3.6% or 12,916 people. That's 24,494 people who are now gainfully employed.

and one area of the USA that's been overlooked, IMO... is the post Rita communities, which in some areas resembles the MS Gulf Coast. Former Pres. Bush is scheduled to present a ground breaking cheque here on 12/20 to rebuild the Cameron Hospital that was washed off the map by Hurricane Rita.

if you're not involved in day to day negotiations with FEMA, it would take reams of posts here to detail the utter failure of that agency to live up to the mandates they were handed under federal law(s) enacted since the 70's

if you know or suspect someone is filing false claims, contact FEMA directly Call 1 (800) 323-9603.

 

[windovervocalcords]

The Louisiana Department of Labor has established a program that helps find jobs for the disabled and a number of companies now provide their employees with transportation.

for example, In October 2005 (post Katrina), Baton Rouge's unemployment rate was at 9.7% or 37,410 people. In October 2006, the unemployment rate has dropped to 3.6% or 12,916 people. That's 24,494 people who are now gainfully employed.

and one area of the USA that's been overlooked, IMO... is the post Rita communities, which in some areas resembles the MS Gulf Coast. Former Pres. Bush is scheduled to present a ground breaking cheque here on 12/20 to rebuild the Cameron Hospital that was washed off the map by Hurricane Rita.

if you're not involved in day to day negotiations with FEMA, it would take reams of posts here to detail the utter failure of that agency to live up to the mandates they were handed under federal law(s) enacted since the 70's

if you know or suspect someone is filing false claims, contact FEMA directly Call 1 (800) 323-9603.

Apparently not fast enough for this crowd. They want your lazy butts outta those trailers ASAP.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

that's correct and criminals are not eligible even if they have children.

"criminals" meaning they are currently on parole or probation (and therefore, "currently ineligible"), or have been ever convicted of a crime in the past?

And what's your take on the success rate of those being weaned off after 2 years?

(I know, a little bit off topic now, just curious...and will then try to get back on topic)

 

[windovervocalcords]

"criminals" meaning they are currently on parole or probation (and therefore, "currently ineligible"), or have been ever convicted of a crime in the past?

And what's your take on the success rate of those being weaned off after 2 years?

(I know, a little bit off topic now, just curious...and will then try to get back on topic)

Yes, convicted criminals.

Generally, it is pretty successful. You have to understand this community is extremely limited as to employment options. Mostly seasonal work.

I do not think it smart to dump tens of thousands of people out of trailers to live under bridges. We are talking alot of children and elderly.

That is, unless we are aspiring to emulate third world countries.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Racism came to light in all its ugliness with Katrina. I have spent my entire career working with the poor. I am sick of this crap about fraud from a bunch of middle to upper class housewives who watch too much Fox news.

Have you never heard of welfare reform? It happened and it works. Fruad happens too. The numbers are relatively small.

If you are so concerned about fraud take a look at Halliburton in Iraq. Much bigger fish to fry.

I agree completely. I've worked with the poverty stricken most of my adult life and those of us with means have no idea of the hurdles these people face. Fraud is real, but no where near as prevalent as many believe.

 

[2sisters]

Apparently not fast enough for this crowd. They want your lazy butts outta those trailers ASAP.

Who said anything about kicking them out of trailers. You have spun this into something else my friend. FEMA pays rent for apartment, hotels, and motels for the evacuees. No FEMA trailers involved. The governemt doesn't need to pay the rent.FEMA trailers must go though b/c they are unsalfe and I don't think they are the best living conditions.

 

[windovervocalcords]

I agree completely. I've worked with the poverty stricken most of my adult life and those of us with means have no idea of the hurdles these people face. Fraud is real, but no where near as prevalent as many believe.

Thank you.

 

[windovervocalcords]

Who said anything about kicking them out of trailers. You have spun this into something else my friend. FEMA pays rent for apartment, hotels, and motels for the evacuees. No FEMA trailers involved. The governemt doesn't need to pay the rent.FEMA trailers must go though b/c they are unsalfe and I don't think they are the best living conditions.

Gonzo would understand my post. This is not spin. It is sarcasm.