WORLD RECORD IN PROVIDING TEMPORARY HOUSING

In Hurricane Agnes areas the Department has provided 25,955 units of temporary shelters as of September 28. It is a little more than that now. But that is almost 30,000 units—and this is more than five times the number of people we have housed in any previous period. As a matter of fact, it is five times what we housed in the days of Camille, which except for Agnes, was the biggest disaster we have had in the last 31% years. In the case of Camille we housed a little over 5,000 people in 6 months and here we have housed almost 30,000 families in less than 11 weeks.

I might state, too, Mr. Chairman, that this is a world record in providing temporary housing-there never before has been as much temporary housing provided in such a short period of time.

TYPES OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY HUD

Under the Disaster Act, the persons occupying temporary housing or shelter are not required to pay rent for the first 12 months. After that, rents are based on fair market value, but they are also adjusted according to the occupants' financial ability to pay. Mobile homes used as temporary housing can also be sold to the occupants at prices equitable to both the Government and the disaster victim.

The Department can provide also for assistance in the form of mortgage payments or rental payments to persons who, because of financial hardship caused by the disaster, are threatened with foreclosure or termination of a lease.

After people have been furnished shelter, our staff provides management services, maintains the temporary housing facilities, and provides housing guidance to families in obtaining adequate permanent housing. That is the housing stage that we are to make permanent provisions for now, permanent rehousing for families who have been left homeless, and this temporary service and management and so on will continue for some time afterwards until all families have been offered adequate permanent housing.

STATUS OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED

At this point, I think it would be useful to the committee if I provided a series of charts which show just where we are in providing this assistance. They reflect a truly amazing record of accomplishment. Senator PROXMIRE. Without objection, we will include the charts in the record.

(The charts follow :)

79-950 O 72 pt. 2 10