LANSING – Eight families and 11 individuals evacuated from Louisiana will arrive in Lansing and Grand Rapids today in the first wave of resettlements in Michigan in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Of the 289 evacuees that initially arrived at Fort Custer on the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base Monday, September 5, approximately 70 have already left to join relatives in other parts of the country or resettle elsewhere. The remaining families and individual evacuees will be resettled as quickly as possible, with priority given to families with children so that children may enroll in school.

"We are delighted with the response from communities around the state who have identified available housing and offered to welcome evacuees into their communities," DHS director Marianne Udow said today. "Grand Rapids and Lansing will receive the first few families who have been staying at Fort Custer today, and more communities will be contacted and involved later today or over the weekend."

Local mayors and DHS directors worked with local human services and relief agencies to identify no-cost or low-cost housing that could afford families and individuals with privacy and autonomy for their stay in Michigan, expected to last from three to nine months. Evacuees will not be placed in shelters or shared private homes. DHS is working to find homes and provide support for evacuees who have traveled to and settled in Michigan on their own as well. Evacuees who are living with relatives or friends in Michigan who need support services should contact their local Department of Human Services office.

"Our priority is on minimizing disruption to these families and individuals by placing them where they can have immediate access to the kinds of services they need – medical, transportation, or schools." said Udow, "We are also matching each family and individual with a "mentor" family who can help them adjust to the community and get established in schools, with jobs, and with other supports."

Governor Granholm has pledged to accept up to 10,000 evacuees, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is still working with other states to determine the most appropriate evacuee allocation. Michigan is on standby, waiting for news from FEMA about the anticipated arrival of additional evacuees. FEMA has indicated that evacuees may be arriving in Battle Creek this evening.

"Everyone's first priority," said Governor Granholm, "is ensuring that these families are finding refuge and settling in the place that’s best for them. If that happens to be a Michigan community, we want these new neighbors know that we’re ready to provide the support they need to get their lives started again. We’re ready to be a refuge for as long as people need us."