|
|
NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 3, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
‘Let’s Help’ of
Topeka and USDA Rural Development
Partnering To Assist Hurricane
Survivors
Topeka , KS – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks and Colette Murphy, President & CEO of Let’s Help, Inc., a Topeka-based not-for-profit relief organization, today announced a partnership between the two organizations to assist the housing needs of Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees now living in northeast Kansas. Vacant and rentable apartment units, financed through USDA Rural Development’s rural rental housing programs, will be made available to eligible evacuees under special hurricane relief measures.
“Recent reports indicate there are numerous individuals and families who have survived the Gulf hurricanes, currently living in the Topeka area, who now require more permanent housing. USDA Rural Development, through the Agency-financed Multi-Family Housing Program, has approximately 700 vacant apartment units across Kansas, and 70 units that are currently available for occupancy in numerous rural communities within a one-hour drive of Topeka. USDA Rural Development, with the cooperation of these housing complex’s owners and management companies, is willing to assist the evacuees to secure critically needed housing,” said State Director Banks.
Murphy, during today’s announcement said, “Let’s Help is very pleased to join in this partnership with USDA Rural Development. In addition to helping with the current housing needs for some of the evacuees, both organizations are involved in community development programming throughout northeast and east-central Kansas.”
To assist evacuees in determining if available USDA Rural Development housing is suitable for their specific situation, Let’s Help and USDA will be hosting a Hurricane Relief Initiative Housing Fair October 5-6 at the Let’s Help offices located at 234 South Kansas Avenue in Topeka. The hours of the Housing Fair will be from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. each day. Individuals may call Let’s Help at 785-215-1185 for more details or to arrange transportation to the Housing Fair.
USDA Rural Development has been active in securing housing for residents displaced by the recent hurricanes which have impacted the Gulf region. To date, over 6,000 evacuees have been placed by the Agency in 24 states, including Kansas. The housing units being offered by USDA Rural Development to eligible individuals and families are generally owned by not-for-profit or limited-profit entities, and are financed through loans issued by USDA Rural Development to improved housing opportunities in communities with a population of less than 20,000 residents.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunity and improving the quality of life of rural residents. USDA Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. For additional information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, individuals may call the Agency’s state headquarters at 785-271-2700 or log onto the USDA Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities.
- end -