For Immediate Release, Friday, November 18, 2005

Contact:  Suzanne Parsons Stymiest @ 985-898-5243

St. Tammany Parish Cold Weather Shelters Close

            St. Tammany Parish is not reopening cold weather shelters this weekend.  Only three individuals occupied the two shelters opened last evening.   “I am glad that so many of our citizens were able to find suitable accommodations without coming to the shelters,” said Parish President Kevin Davis.  “We needed to open them to make sure that no one would be left without resources during the cold.”

             According to John Tobin,  parish Administrative Liaison for Social Services, the three individuals using the shelter last night have alternative housing available. 

             “We don’t have confirmed numbers yet of how many of our citizens are without homes,” said Davis.  “FEMA has given us a preliminary number of just over 1,000 from an partial survey.  Until they complete their canvassing, we won’t have a firm grasp on the specific number of citizens needing housing who cannot take a travel trailer on their property.”

MEDIA NOTE:  During Thanksgiving week, media should contact Dana La Fonta @ 985-898-5243 or 985-264-3871 for inquiries.