Memories of Hurricane Katrina are still fresh for New Orleans residents after they have evacuated their homes to avoid Hurricane Gustav. But more than the sad and painful memories, having no place to come back to may hurt the most. Hopefully, people have learned their lessons and taken the necessary precautions to shield residents from homelessness.

One can’t stop a natural disaster from happening, but its destructive effects can be minimized.

This is done by providing shelters for storm victims — especially the elderly, disabled, and the poor. But with millions of people evacuated, there could be a shortage.

A Georgia-based company has put up a website that will serve as a directory for finding free temporary housing for both hurricane victims and survivors. HurricaneHousingSearch.org is a free, non-profit directory that helps storm victims find free housing. This site encourages homeowners all over the United States with extra spaces in their homes to volunteer temporary housing to hurricane survivors. If you are one of the storm victims, you can browse this site for free shelters and hurricane housing.

In addition, federal grants are available to provide housing assistance like:

           -    Federal Housing Administration’s authority to stop foreclosure on a home located in a presidentially declared disaster area
           -    Forbearance to give you more time to settle your mortgage payments. You are also allowed to pay less than what you owe lenders
           -    Funds to ensure decent and affordable housing in communities plus basic services, job opportunities, and creation of businesses
           -    Safe, sanitary, and decent housing for low-income families, elderly, and disabled persons
           -    Access to funds reserved by Congress for emergencies and natural disasters

Unlike three years ago, more programs are available now to help storm victims find a place to stay. You can find out more about government housing programs at the HUD’s website www.hud.gov.

Find out what other housing programs you may qualify for by filling up the box above.

Related articles:

HUD Provides Community Housing Assistance to Calamity-Stricken States
Storm Victims Get Foreclosure Relief and Housing Assistance From the Government
Home Foreclosures Suspended to Help Storm Victims