U.S. government announces a comprehensive transitional housing assistance program for Katrina evacuees

Department of Homeland Security press release:

Evacuees eligible for housing assistance through IHP will receive an initial three month rental assistance payment in the form of check or electronic fund transfer in the amount of $2,358. This initial payment is calculated based on the average fair market rent rate for a two-bedroom unit nationwide. This payment is portable and may be applied to transitional housing costs for any location an evacuee determines.

Makes sense. A considerable improvement over the alternative.