Latest news with #FEMA-approved
American Press
4 days ago
- General
- American Press
Veterans partner with non-profit for post-storm roof repair kits
Integrity Homes Co-Owners David Souileau and Warren Vandever demonstrate how to use the emergency tarp. (Ashlyn Little / American Press) Southwest Louisiana has seen its fair share of blue tarps on homes in recent years. With hurricane season beginning on June 1, now is the time to be prepared in case an emergency situation strikes. The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Association has partnered with Houston-based non-profit Every Shelter to distribute FEMA-approved emergency roof patch kits as part of a pilot program for local veterans. Every Shelter volunteer John O'Donnell, who is helping coordinate the pilot program, said the organization creates shelters for refugees in places where people need it. 'They were doing it so innovatively, they were creating these shelter solutions from recycled vinyl and recycled styrofoam and the environmental side of me kind of perked up a little bit and I became really interested,' O'Donnell said. Once O'Donnell contacted Every Shelter, he learned about the patch kit. That's when he started working with them to get the word out. The patch kit is 100 percent made in the U.S. The kit includes one tarp, nails and step-by-step installation instructions. 'The tarp is super easy to put up. If you can swing a hammer you can put this tarp up. The kit comes with the nails — it comes with everything you need, including the instructions and a video about where and how to place it. It makes it really accessible for those that need it,' O'Donnell said. Small, smart intervention can prevent bigger damage and keep people safe after a storm, he said. 'For example, with my own roof, we didn't lose the whole roof, we just had enough of a hole in it that enough water got in the walls where we had to gut the whole home. This can bridge that gap between the hole in the roof and getting a new roof,' O'Donnell said. The tarp will last longer than a blue tarp because of the UV specifications that it has and because it is made out of recycled billboard, according to O'Donnell. David Soileau and Warren Vandever co-own Integrity Homes, a veteran-owned contracting company that started in 2020 after Hurricanes Laura and Delta. 'Myself and Warren served our country and we both just want to serve. We're kind of done with the national service, but we still want to serve the community at least. When John brought the opportunity for us to be involved, it let us have a bigger way to serve the community and be ready for the next event,' Souileau said. 'We really wanted to partner up with what John's (O'Donnell) got going on. We have a big heart for the community, especially here in Southwest Louisiana, and want to make sure people get taken care of — mitigation is key, you need a dry place to stay and by having these tarps available can make a huge impact in keeping you safe,' Souileau said. For more information on the Emergency Roof Patch Kits visit
Los Angeles Times
23-03-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Out of options, some Altadena residents return to smoky homes that lack utilities
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It's Sunday. I'm your host, Andrew J. Campa. Here's what you need to know: Rosa Ramirez is one of many Altadena residents who seemed fortunate, at first. Her apartment complex was spared from the destruction of the Eaton fire. The blaze claimed nearly half of all properties in the city. That includes nearly 4,900 single-family homes, 1,800 duplexes and bungalows and more than 200 apartment units, according to the L.A. County assessor. Ramirez and her family had been staying in hotels since being evacuated during the Jan. 7 blaze. Yet their return home last week wasn't triumphant — it had more to do with running out of resources. My colleagues Ruben Vives and Andrea Castillo documented the situation of Ramirez and other fire survivors who moved back into inhospitable and, in some cases, damaged homes that lacked basic utilities. Why are so many returning? Ramirez's apartment complex was deemed 'uninhabitable' by an insurer, but she felt as though she had no choice but to return. Last month, Homewell Insurance Service wrote to FEMA, saying that tenants couldn't return for at least 60 to 90 days. Still, about 60 people are living at the 47-unit complex, said Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which recently began to assist the tenants. Alvarez told The Times that these families don't have the credit history or proof of income necessary to rent elsewhere. Others were initially sent to FEMA-approved hotels that were too far away from their jobs. Residents say their rent ranges from $1,700 to $2,400 a month. Ramirez says she's out of money to stay at hotels and has struggled to find similarly priced apartments. What are conditions like at the complex? Several families have been living in the complex for weeks, if not months. They say they have no gas to cook with or to warm up bath water. Others say parts of one building have been without electricity, while power outages are common throughout. Some people say they need smoke remediation, while at a least a few say they're living with holes in their ceilings left by firefighters. Many families are also afraid of the environmental and health risks of living in a complex surrounded by destroyed homes, burned-out carports and damaged vehicles that could spread asbestos and lead. Tenants also say that their two-story beige-and-brown stucco complex is surrounded by piles of debris and are asking for L.A. County officials to remove it. Ramirez's ceiling is smoke-stained, and she spends portions of her day separating clothing, bedding and other items into those that are salvageable and those that must be tossed out. Residents have claimed that when they asked the apartment's managers, Regency Management Inc., to make repairs, they faced retaliation, including power shutoffs. Regency pushes back against allegations Regency's legal consultant, Jesus Carillo, said building management has reached out to various agencies to restore services. He also disputes any form of retaliation. 'We expedited all deposits and monies paid for the month if residents elected to move out,' Carrillo told The Times. 'Although some residents are occupying the units, we have not charged rent and did not make a demand for such.' He said the management group was working to restore power lost due to a damaged electric line. He added that management was waiting for clearance from county officials before restoring gas service. What's next? Property management posted a note on some doors that said cleaning efforts would begin March 7, exactly two months after the Eaton fire ignited. Carrillo told The Times that at least 42 units have been cleaned as of Wednesday, with three more scheduled to be completed in the coming days. The units were also slated to be cleared by a licensed environmental firm. Carrillo said the management company filed a permit with the county to remove carpet debris. He said he's hoping the EPA will also approve the removal of an electric vehicle from the property that poses a hazard due to its battery. For more on the situation, please check out the full article here. Los Angeles fire recovery Crime, courts and policing Trump policies, appointees and reactions More big stories Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. Column One is The Times' home for narrative and long-form journalism. Here's a great piece from this past week: Lately, Seamus Blackley's office has been partly taken over by a makeshift greenhouse. Around a corner filled with complex tech equipment, a particular tree is likely to catch your eye. That's because the twisty, spindly room centerpiece with large, pointy, deep green leaves is no ordinary tree. Indeed, this tree doesn't naturally survive in the climate of Southern California. Blackley, however, wants dozens of them. He is growing cacao trees. More great reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage. They had just spent a magical weekend together. Dinner at Bavel, watching Liverpool play, quiet reading. She even enjoyed the thrill of hopping on his motorcycle to pick up pastries. Then he told her, just days before Christmas, that he was 'not committed' to her. She hadn't seen him for two months, then ran into him by chance. Would she go up to him and ask him what happened, or would she move on and never turn back? Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Andrew J. Campa, reporterCindy Chang, city editor Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New York City denied request FEMA return $80M in migrant funds
A federal judge blocked New York City's request for President Donald Trump's administration to return $80 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds allocated for migrant shelters and services. Judge Jennifer Rearden, from the Manhattan bench on Wednesday, refused to issue New York City a temporary restraining order to claw back the funds because the city did not prove it would suffer irreparable harm without the money. "We're disappointed the court did not grant the emergency relief we were seeking while the case continued, and we are evaluating next steps," a New York City Law Department spokesperson told Fox News. The City of New York filed the lawsuit on Feb. 21 against Trump, FEMA, the Treasury Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), arguing the $80 million was already approved and paid out by FEMA. Nyc Mayor Eric Adams, An Ex-cop, Has 'Upper Hand' Over Other Sanctuary City Mayors: Blue Lives Matter Founder "This morning, our office learned about the federal government clawing back more than $80 million in FEMA grants applied for and awarded under the last administration, but not disbursed until last week," Mayor Eric Adams, D-N.Y., said in an X post the day the lawsuit was filed. Read On The Fox News App The lawsuit said the funds were revoked on Feb. 11, after Elon Musk said the Department of Government Efficiency found a $59 million FEMA payment to New York City for luxury hotels used to house illegal migrants. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she rescinded the funds over concerns that the Roosevelt Hotel is the "Tren de Aragua base of operations." "I have clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels. FEMA was funding the Roosevelt Hotel that serves as a Tren de Aragua base of operations and was used to house Laken Riley's killer. Mark my words: there will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people," Noem said in a X post. Nyc Sues After Trump Admin Claws Back $80M Migrant Housing Grant NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate vying for Adams' seat, said the Trump administration "stole" the funds. "Let's be clear: Donald Trump and his loser lackies—Elon Musk and Kristi Noem—acted illegally when they stole $80 million from New York City's bank account. Seizing our Congressionally-authorized, FEMA-approved money was nothing more than attempted retribution against immigrants seeking asylum, many of them sent here on buses by Governor Abbott from Texas. Like all of Trump's illegal efforts to freeze and seize Congressionally-authorized funds, this action harmed taxpayers and working families and would force the City to cut services if not reversed," Lander said in a statement following the ruling on Wednesday. The ruling came as Adams and his fellow "sanctuary city" Democratic mayors testified about their response to the migrant crisis on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. "I'm here today to testify on how New York City can continue to reduce crime, even as a sanctuary city," Adams told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "To be clear: A sanctuary city classification does not mean our city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals. It also does not give New York City the authority to violate federal immigration laws. To the contrary, New York City will always comply with city, state, and federal laws, as it does now," Adams added. Adams vowed to protect law-abiding New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, while also directing NYPD officers to comply with DHS and ICE. The mayor's comments reflect his ongoing effort to strike a balance between protecting New Yorkers and coordinating with the Trump administration's illegal immigration crackdown. As New York City struggled to keep up with the busloads of migrants entering the city's overwhelmed shelter system, Adams was critical of former President Joe Biden's handling of the migrant crisis. In his plight against the migrant crisis, Adams has developed a relationship with Trump – holding a private meeting with the president in West Palm Beach, Florida, and then meeting with border czar Tom Homan to discuss the migrant crisis in New York City. Homan said he would hold Adams to his commitments, telling "Fox & Friends," "If he doesn't come through, I'll be back in New York City, and we won't be sitting on the couch. I'll be in his office, up his butt, saying, 'Where the hell is the agreement we came to?'" Adams' office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: New York City denied request FEMA return $80M in migrant funds
Fox News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
New York City denied request FEMA return $80M in migrant funds
A federal judge blocked New York City's request for President Donald Trump's administration to return $80 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds allocated for migrant shelters and services. Judge Jennifer Rearden, from the Manhattan bench on Wednesday, refused to issue New York City a temporary restraining order to claw back the funds because the city did not prove it would suffer irreparable harm without the money. "We're disappointed the court did not grant the emergency relief we were seeking while the case continued, and we are evaluating next steps," a New York City Law Department spokesperson told Fox News. The City of New York filed the lawsuit on Feb. 21 against Trump, FEMA, the Treasury Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), arguing the $80 million was already approved and paid out by FEMA. "This morning, our office learned about the federal government clawing back more than $80 million in FEMA grants applied for and awarded under the last administration, but not disbursed until last week," Mayor Eric Adams, D-N.Y., said in an X post the day the lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit said the funds were revoked on Feb. 11, after Elon Musk said the Department of Government Efficiency found a $59 million FEMA payment to New York City for luxury hotels used to house illegal migrants. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she rescinded the funds over concerns that the Roosevelt Hotel is the "Tren de Aragua base of operations." "I have clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels. FEMA was funding the Roosevelt Hotel that serves as a Tren de Aragua base of operations and was used to house Laken Riley's killer. Mark my words: there will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people," Noem said in a X post. NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate vying for Adams' seat, said the Trump administration "stole" the funds. "Let's be clear: Donald Trump and his loser lackies—Elon Musk and Kristi Noem—acted illegally when they stole $80 million from New York City's bank account. Seizing our Congressionally-authorized, FEMA-approved money was nothing more than attempted retribution against immigrants seeking asylum, many of them sent here on buses by Governor Abbott from Texas. Like all of Trump's illegal efforts to freeze and seize Congressionally-authorized funds, this action harmed taxpayers and working families and would force the City to cut services if not reversed," Lander said in a statement following the ruling on Wednesday. The ruling came as Adams and his fellow "sanctuary city" Democratic mayors testified about their response to the migrant crisis on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. "I'm here today to testify on how New York City can continue to reduce crime, even as a sanctuary city," Adams told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "To be clear: A sanctuary city classification does not mean our city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals. It also does not give New York City the authority to violate federal immigration laws. To the contrary, New York City will always comply with city, state, and federal laws, as it does now," Adams added. Adams vowed to protect law-abiding New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, while also directing NYPD officers to comply with DHS and ICE. The mayor's comments reflect his ongoing effort to strike a balance between protecting New Yorkers and coordinating with the Trump administration's illegal immigration crackdown. As New York City struggled to keep up with the busloads of migrants entering the city's overwhelmed shelter system, Adams was critical of former President Joe Biden's handling of the migrant crisis. In his plight against the migrant crisis, Adams has developed a relationship with Trump – holding a private meeting with the president in West Palm Beach, Florida, and then meeting with border czar Tom Homan to discuss the migrant crisis in New York City. Homan said he would hold Adams to his commitments, telling "Fox & Friends," "If he doesn't come through, I'll be back in New York City, and we won't be sitting on the couch. I'll be in his office, up his butt, saying, 'Where the hell is the agreement we came to?'" Adams' office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Video of Hurricane Helene survivor moving into apartment captured under Biden
Video of Hurricane Helene survivor moving into apartment captured under Biden | Fact check Show Caption Hide Caption Trump wants FEMA gone after Helene response in North Carolina President Donald Trump said he wants to do away with FEMA at a visit in Asheville, North Carolina which was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The claim: Video shows woman displaced by Hurricane Helene who Trump helped A Jan. 22 Instagram video (direct link, archive link) shows a woman crying and talking about how she's relieved to be moving into new temporary housing. "#BREAKING: Western North Carolina residents who have been sitting in FEMA hotels for months, are now being moved rapidly into long-term, fully furnished apartments," reads text within the post, which was originally shared on X. "THE TRUMP EFFECT IS HERE!" The Instagram post garnered more than 250,000 likes in nine days. Other versions of the claim were shared on Instagram, Threads and Facebook. More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False The Federal Emergency Management Agency said the video was captured on Jan. 9 through a program initiated while Joe Biden was president. President Donald Trump was sworn into office more than a week later on Jan. 20. FEMA video predates Trump presidency Trump visited communities in western North Carolina on Jan. 24 to speak to those affected by Hurricane Helene's severe flooding. While there, the president vowed to rebuild the impacted areas "in rapid time." But the video in the Instagram post doesn't show a woman aided by Trump. FEMA shared the video on YouTube on Jan. 17, three days before Trump's inauguration. The video's caption says the woman moved into temporary housing the previous week with the help of FEMA's Direct Lease program. The program is a form of direct temporary housing assistance in which FEMA leases available residential properties for hurricane survivors "whose temporary housing needs cannot be met with other forms of assistance," according to an October 2024 FEMA press release. The agency pays the rent, while the tenant pays for utilities and other costs not covered in the lease. A FEMA spokesperson told USA TODAY the woman in the video moved into her new temporary housing on Jan. 9. This was nearly two weeks before Trump took Helene survivors have been getting approved for apartments since November 2024, the spokesperson said. About 300 applications are being processed and about 150 have been approved for FEMA-approved disaster housing, including five applicants who have moved out for a more permanent solution. Fact check: Trump foreign aid pause not contingent on domestic hurricane, fire recovery FEMA also offers transportable temporary housing units and funding for repairs of vacant multi-family rental properties as part of its direct temporary housing assistance, according to an October 2024 press release. The agency's Direct Lease program has been offered to eligible survivors of natural disasters for years, including those impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires and Hurricane Ida in 2021. USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram users who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The X user couldn't be contacted. Lead Stories and AFP also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
