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Katrina Evacuees in Houston Face Lack of Health Care, Jobs, and FEMA Assistance
Over one hundred twenty thousand Katrina evacuees still live in Houston, Texas. A recent study shows ninety-eight percent are African American, three quarters earn less than $15,000 per year, almost half have no health insurance, and less than twenty percent are employed. Many could soon lose assistance from FEMA. Two organizers tell us how the community is responding.
Democracy Now! is broadcasting from Houston, Texas where the effects of Hurricane Katrina are still being felt. Over one hundred twenty thousand Katrina evacuees still live in Houston.
Researchers at Rice University recently conducted a survey of over one thousand Katrina evacuees living in Houston. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents were African American. Nearly three quarters of the respondents indicated they earn less than $15,000 per year. Almost half have no health insurance.
Unemployment is a major problem. Of the respondents less than twenty percent are employed. Many could also soon lose assistance from FEMA. Organizers are sending out phone messages this week to warn evacuees that they could soon lose their aid. We speak with two guests here in Houston:
* Carolyn Schexnayder, former New Orleans resident who evacuated to Houston six days after Hurricane Katrina hit. Her first days in Houston were spent in the Astrodome.
* Broderick Bagert, senior organizer with the Metropolitan Organization, a Houston-based community organization of churches, schools, unions and other groups. The Metropolitan Organization is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, a grass-roots network founded by Saul Alinsky.
LISTEN ONLINE:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/14/1352200
Researchers at Rice University recently conducted a survey of over one thousand Katrina evacuees living in Houston. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents were African American. Nearly three quarters of the respondents indicated they earn less than $15,000 per year. Almost half have no health insurance.
Unemployment is a major problem. Of the respondents less than twenty percent are employed. Many could also soon lose assistance from FEMA. Organizers are sending out phone messages this week to warn evacuees that they could soon lose their aid. We speak with two guests here in Houston:
* Carolyn Schexnayder, former New Orleans resident who evacuated to Houston six days after Hurricane Katrina hit. Her first days in Houston were spent in the Astrodome.
* Broderick Bagert, senior organizer with the Metropolitan Organization, a Houston-based community organization of churches, schools, unions and other groups. The Metropolitan Organization is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, a grass-roots network founded by Saul Alinsky.
LISTEN ONLINE:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/14/1352200
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