Easy to Use Website Available for Those Looking for Housing

January 4, 2006, BATON ROUGE, La. -- Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can search for available rental housing using Disaster Housing Resource Online (DHR Online) at www.dhronline.org. DHR Online is an easy-to-use website that lists immediately available rental properties. Victims can search by location, price range, and housing description including number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

One evacuee, who is currently living in a motel, was successful in finding housing through DHR Online. After applying, she was put in touch with a leasing manager at a local apartment complex in Baton Rouge, and within three hours, she was approved for her apartment. She will be moving into her apartment in January.

The U.S. Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says DHR Online was an important asset in locating housing for people displaced during the 2004 hurricane season and believes that it will be a valuable tool to help Gulf Coast residents recover from this year’s hurricanes.

Also, property owners who have an apartment or house for rent can list their available properties on this website at no cost.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.

Contact Information

Barbara J. Ellis

Media Contact

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Contact via E-mail