Harris County, TX (county seat “Houston”) received a HUGE amount of long-term Federal government assistance in late 2005 to initially accept 250K+ “refugees” from Hurricane Katrina and eventually permanently resettle about 60K of them. More were later resettled there in the first quarter of 2006.
Here’s a link discussing the aftermath in TX of the initial 250K refugees bussed there.
I have no doubt that not only did this “assistance” help with welfare payments and other cash assistance, $$ to boost their Section 8 rolls and EBT cards (Dept of Agriculture) was also provided, as well as various business incentives to hire many of these refugees.
As I recall, this area was chosen by the Federal government for a massive relocation because it had the (housing) vacancies and room, its climate was similar to New Orleans and Katrina victims could more easily assimilate due to cultural affinities present there. In addition, TX politicians at the time welcomed the influx of (warm-bodies-soon-to-be-taxpayers) refugees.
The “Houston” area resettlement was meant to act as a permanent fix to gradually move the resettled families off “lifetime” welfare rolls who were formerly languishing on them in the State of LA in an area rife with long-term chronic unemployment and substandard housing.
For the most part, this government infusion of cash (to Harris Co, TX) accomplished what it was intended to do but also had the effect of boosting its long-term economy. :=]
