DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — A former White House aide says evacuees who are worried about their homes can trust the federal government will be there to help.
Brian Montgomery led the Federal Housing Administration under President George W. Bush when Hurriane Katrina hit — he said the feds will handle a majority of what’s needed to rebuild.
“That will come in the form of FEMA, HUD, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor,” Montgomery said. “Things of that nature.”
Montgomery said during Katrina, the government used a voucher program for people whose homes were completely destroyed.
But right now, he says evacuees need to focus on their own safety and health, and not worry about their homes and other belongings until later.
“In the short term, let’s be concerned about people’s safety and making sure people have shelter and food,” Montgomery said. “Then we’ll shift quickly to the assessment. Whether the family lived in an apartment or had their own home, that’ll help drive whatever assistance might be out there.”