New FEMA Head Says Focus Shifting to Finding Homes for Those in Shelters

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The new acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency pledged Tuesday to intensify efforts to finding more permanent housing for the tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors now in shelters.

''We're going to get people out of the shelters, we're going to move on and get them the help they need,'' R. David Paulison said in his first public comments since taking the job.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff introduced Paulison as the Bush administration tried to deflect criticism for the sluggish initial federal response to the hurricane and its disastrous aftermath. The president himself planned to address the nation Thursday evening from Louisiana, where he will be monitoring recovery efforts, the White House announced Tuesday.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press