As Hurricane Katrina relief shelters close, evacuees who lost their homes will begin to receive financial assistance for housing by the end of the week.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has offered a transitional housing program to victims who have registered with the agency online, are eligible for federal aid and who lived in counties under a federal disaster declaration.
The program, which was initiated Friday, provides an initial $2,358 to eligible households to pay for three months of temporary residence. The figure is based on the national average for fair market rent of a two-bedroom unit.
After the first three months, FEMA offers a recertification program where households may reapply for a total of 18 months of aid.
"We make sure the individual is actively engaged in finding a permanent residence," said Barbara Ellis, FEMA spokeswoman. "At some point they are going to have to resolve their housing issue and move into a permanent location."
Over the weekend, FEMA reported 260,000 eligible households and anticipates a total of 600,000. Those who applied on the FEMA Web site will receive a check in five to seven business days, Ellis said.
FEMA is not restricting aid recipients to their current housing location.
"We hope that we can present as many options for them as possible as they go about seeking long-term housing," Ellis said.
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