For the past six months, Utah evacuees have been living in apartments leased by the state, which is being reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

But on March 1, FEMA began transferring all leases to Corporate Lodging Consultants of Wichita, Kan., with a goal of relieving Utah of its landlord duties by March 31.

"The state has gone above and beyond what was expected. They can't keep track of evacuees forever. They need to get back to the work of Utah," said Joseph Castel, a spokesman in FEMA's Denver office.

Derek Jensen, Utah Department of Public Safety spokesman, said the move will benefit evacuees, because "it gives them more mobility." FEMA rent assistance is portable and can be used to relocate to other states.

But the switch could hurt those deemed ineligible for FEMA assistance. In January, the state estimated 30 evacuees might fall into that category, though the number is likely smaller today, Jensen said.

Corporate Lodging was formerly responsible for the American Red Cross hotel program that temporarily sheltered about 200,000 hurricane survivors. The consulting company was criticized for overspending on some of the rooms, putting some evacuees in luxury hotels for as high as $364 a night.

Castel said FEMA has confidence in the company and will be implementing safety checks to ensure against fraud and anyone "slipping through the cracks."

“The state has gone above and beyond what was expected. They can't keep track of evacuees forever. They need to get back to the work of Utah”

JOSEPH CASTEL, a spokesman in FEMA's Denver office

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