Nearly 1,800 Puerto Rican hurricane survivors lose FEMA housing assistance

Designed to be used for about two weeks, the program has been expanded several times. FEMA spent more than $ 432 million to house tens of thousands of hurricane survivors who had no electricity or running water, no homes damaged or destroyed, no school for their children , according to the agency.

"Nowhere to go"

In New York City, officials this week estimated that between 600 and 700 Puerto Ricans who have fled the island will find themselves in shelters for homeless families in the coming days.

"The Trump administration has abandoned the people of Puerto Rico," said Jaclyn Rothenberg, a spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio

"Our mayor will not do it, we will shelter our fellow Americans and we will do everything we can from New York to Florida, where authorities estimate that some 400 families will lose hotel vouchers this weekend, evacuees who cook makeshift dishes in microwaves , do their homework in hotel lobbies and learning lifestyles on the continent facing uncertainty about the future.

"They have nil where to go, "said Florida Sen. Senator Bill Nelson on Thursday in the Senate." This decision to stop providing assistance to these families has scared many of them who are go out of their way to try to find out what they are going to do to find an affordable place. extended their hand to others o Charities. "

Nelson, who failed in a last-minute offer to extend transient assistance housing for hurricane survivors on Thursday, said many families will end up sleeping in cars or shelters. for homeless sunday.

"Some of them have lost everything because of these storms," ​​Nelson said. "Too many of them are still unable to find work or find affordable housing … For many of them, the only thing they have is the help that the FEMA brings them. "

& # 39; Mami, are we going?

Nearly 1,800 Puerto Rican families were screened at hotels under the FEMA program this week, agency spokesman Juan Rosado-Reynés said in a statement.

There were 1,229 people in hotels and motels on the mainland and 534 in Puerto Rico, according to FEMA.

"We continue to work closely with the survivors of the disaster to connect them with the most appropriate housing resources to meet their disaster-related needs," said the FEMA news release.

At the end of January, four months after the devastating September storm, more than 3,000 displaced Puerto Ricans were living in hotels in 40 states, according to FEMA. Their eligibility for transitional housing was reassessed every 30 days. The agency said the program is intended to provide emergency housing immediately after a disaster.

Participants may lose FEMA hotel checks if their accommodation in Puerto Rico was habitable after inspection, or if FEMA had found other viable housing options, such as friends with whom they could live, among other requirements, according to officials of the agency.

In New York, officials said 108 families who will lose their FEMA housing assistance on Saturday will be connected "through Catholic charities … to housing, social services and educational aids." The average household consists of three people.

134 other Puerto Rican families who are not eligible for FEMA assistance apply for shelter with the Homelessness Department of the city.

"Look, the shelter is not our first favorite option, but that's what we can offer," said Rothenberg, spokeswoman for the town hall. "I hope that if these people go through the process, they will be able to get back on their feet here in New York City. The mayor will not let these people behind."

Milagros Bosse, 32, a Marine Corps veteran who arrived in New York City in December with her four young children, said she will be looking for a Manhattan hotel this weekend and will move into a former boutique hotel shelter for homeless families.

"Children ask," Now, are we going somewhere else? "said Bosse, who supported his family on unemployment benefits that end at the end of next month. "They keep asking," Mami, are we going to be safe? Are we going to have a fridge? "

She said that she has received many calls and emails from FEMA reminding her that the agency will not pay the hotel after Saturday.

"I am at the point now where all I want to do is cry," she said. "I can not, I have four angels who look at me every day and ask me," Mami, are we going to fend for ourselves? "With an impassive face, I look at them and tell them that everything will be fine, I have tears in their eyes, but I can not fall because of them."