FEMA loses ruling on hotel deadline

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Other issues addressed by the Judge:
The restraining order, in effect until Duval holds a Feb. 23-24 preliminary injunction hearing on the case, also provides that:

-- No person can be thrown out of the hotel lodging program earlier than Jan. 7, even if before that date the person has received, or been denied, a FEMA trailer or a rent subsidy;

-- Every evacuee in a government-subsidized hotel room can stay for two weeks -- though not beyond Feb. 7 -- after getting a FEMA trailer or rent money, or being denied such help;

-- FEMA must stop telling evacuees seeking help to get temporary housing that they first must apply for a Small Business Administration loan and must serve notice to everyone who has or will seek disaster assistance that no such requirement exists.

here in Houston, we have had to fight tooth and nail to get promised funding to care for the displaced. We are not amused at FEMA antics. There is a complete disconnect as to the total devastation and the amount of aid needed to help these people to get on their feet.