Number: RL33078
Title: The Role of HUD Housing Programs in Response to Disasters
Authors: Maggie McCarty, Libby Perl, and Bruce Foote, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Hurricane Katrina has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of families from their homes. While its magnitude is unprecedented, the resulting need to shelter and house displaced families is not. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the nation's agency with a mission to provide safe and decent housing for all Americans, has played a role in meeting those needs in the past and is playing a role in the wake of Katrina. This report is designed to look at HUD's current programs and their ability and authority to respond to housing crises, and the way that Congress has expanded that role and authority in the past. It does not track the Department's response to Hurricane Katrina; see CRS Report RS22358, HUD's Response to Hurricane Katrina.
Pages: 15
Date: January 6, 2006