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Puerto Ricans Displaced by Hurricane Cleared to Stay in Temp Housing Through
July 24

by VOA News

   A U.S. federal judge has extended by 20 days the housing aid program
   helping Puerto Ricans still unable to return home after last year's
   Hurricane Maria damaged thousands of homes as well as the U.S.
   territory's power grid.

   Hundreds of Puerto Ricans were affected by Tuesday's decision. They are
   living in motel rooms and other FEMA-provided housing, where their stay
   has been repeatedly extended while their homes remain uninhabitable.

   The aid was supposed to end at midnight June 30, but it was extended to
   July 4 after a civil rights group filed a class action lawsuit arguing
   that withdrawal of the funding would leave some of the recipients
   homeless.

   Tuesday's decision by Judge Timothy Hillman will allow the evacuees to
   remain where they are until July 24, while the court holds further
   hearings to decide whether a longer extension is needed.

   FEMA has released a statement saying it is complying with the order.