Re: fema forms

[Craig Updegrove]

By the way, they haven't received the funds yet. As soon as they do, I will let you know when you can access them.

-Craig

On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 9:23 AM, Craig Updegrove <cup...@rcn.com> wrote:

Hi all,

I wanted to make you aware or a program that the Catholic Social Agency in Allentown is overseeing. They are in the process of receiving funds this week from FEMA that provides short-term, one-time hotel/motel assistance. This program is designed to help bridge a gap for newly homeless. If you come across, a family or individuals that may need this type of help, please feel free to self-enroll them into this program.

Here are the steps: 

1) Call the Catholic Social Agency to determine if funds are available. 

2) If funds are available, please call one of the three hotels on the attached form to see if they have room(s) available,

3) Complete the form immediately and fax it back the the Catholic Social Agency by the next business day. 

Please use common sense though in referring people to this program. It isn't for long-term homeless or for people to use it to go on a binge for a weekend (Rob from the Agency stressed this part to me). It is designed though, for example, to help that mother and child to have shelter over a weekend until they can secure something more permanent. 

The caveat to this whole thing is that the Agency must use all the funds up by the end of the year. They didn't receive these funds until now because of the budget impasses. This may be an issue you may want to write to Congress to prevent this stuff from happening again. Rob from the Agency said the earliest they ever get this money is around August. Again, it has to be used up by the end of the year. Shouldn't these funds be available when it is needed the most like during the winter especially January and February)?

Thanks,
Craig

[Craig Updegrove]

[eas...@rcn.com]

This is wonderful. We should have these forms at our next meeting and discuss. So we all have a good understanding of how to complete.
Betsy