Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Media Advisory

Members of the Steps Coalition to release Report Card of Long Term Recovery in the Disabled, Veteran and Elderly community

WHAT: A new report card on the state of long-term recovery for the disabled, veteran and elderly communities along Mississippi’s coast will be released at a Thursday press conference in East Biloxi. Developed by a broad coalition of relief agencies, the new report card spells out the gap between the promise of the state recovery program and the realties faced by the thousands of individuals who have not been served by existing programs. 
Of the $5.4 billion congress allocated for Mississippi’s recovery, only 25 percent has gone to the low and moderate income people – the Mississippi residents the state should be working the hardest to protect. There are still tens of thousands of residents living in temporary housing. Those looking to return to a home will have a tough time – of the 13,800 small rental units destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, only 6,000 are slated to be rebuilt.
Members of the disabled, veteran and elderly communities will come out from behind the shadow of the Gulf Coast’s gleaming casinos on Thursday to present their report and speak with members of the press.

WHEN: 12 p.m., Thursday, October 25

WHERE: Church of the Redeemer
610 Water Street
Biloxi, MS

WHO:  Elderly Residents on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
• Mary Gray – a 54 year old resident from Moss Point who has been living in a FEMA trailer since Katrina and has been trying to get a MS Cottage on her Property for the past 6 months.
• Mrs. Dorothy Gautier and elderly disabled woman from Gautier, MS
Mrs. Gautier’s home was destroyed by Katrina and has not received enough funding FEMA, MDA, SBA, and insurance to rebuild her home.
Advocates for the Elderly and Disabled
• Talatha Denison – Advocate for the Elderly with the Mississippi Protection and Advocacy Program
• Mary Troupe, Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities

Other Details

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Permalink: http://www.stepscoalition.org/news/article/media_advisory/