shelter news stories on Newser

Japan Firm Builds 'Noah's Ark' For Next Tsunami

Matt Cantor — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:25:05 CDT

It’s Noah’s Ark for the 21st century: A Japanese firm has built a tiny, floating shelter that can hold four adults, the AP reports. Called the “Noah,” the enhanced-fiberglass contraption looks like a huge tennis ball and doubles as a toy house for kids. Cosmo Power Co. has already received...

Japan Evacuees: Clinics Deny Care Over Contagion Fears

Matt Cantor — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:47:59 CDT

Fearing contagion from exposure to radioactivity, Japanese shelters and clinics are rejecting hundreds of evacuees from near the Fukushima nuclear plant, reports the Telegraph . The institutions are requiring certificates from evacuees that show they haven’t faced exposure. Such concerns, however, are “completely irrational,” says a British expert advising the Japanese...

As Flood Toll Hits 25, Chavez Opens Palace to Refugees

Matt Cantor — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:22:57 CST

Hugo Chavez is letting dozens of people made homeless by Venezuelan flooding crash at his palace, and he told them yesterday—as the death toll hit 25—that they can stay there until the government finds them new homes. Visiting a slum, the AP reports that Chavez urged other residents...

FEMA Is Also in the Prevention Business

Katherine Thompson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:03:50 CST

FEMA may be best known for its response in times of crisis, but it also tries to provide help before disaster strikes, NPR reports. In the tiny Missouri hamlet of Niangua, a tornado shelter mostly funded by the agency will soon be able to house the entire town—a relief...

Milan's Poor Get Contraband Caviar for Xmas

Harry Kimball — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:07:10 CST

The poor and homeless in Milan will get a pricey treat this holiday season, the BBC reports. Officials will distribute 88 pounds of beluga caviar seized from smugglers to the city’s shelters and soup kitchens. The sturgeon roe, confiscated in November en route from Poland, is valued at around $550,...

LA Homeless Get Portable Shelter

Harry Kimball — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:49:14 CST

A select group of homeless people in Los Angeles now have some relatively decent digs, the Los Angeles Times reports. The EDAR, which stands for for Everyone Deserves a Roof, is a portable shelter that can be used to transport belongings by day. At night it unfolds into a rainproof...

Trump Houses Hudson, Family

Ambreen Ali — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:08:04 CST

Donald Trump has been sheltering Jennifer Hudson and some relatives in his swanky, self-named tower for free since the Oscar-winner's mother, brother, and nephew were murdered last month, People reports. “She's a great girl. And we're protecting them well,” the mogul says.

300 in Limbo as Houston's Last Ike Shelter Closes

Ambreen Ali — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:16:07 CDT

The Red Cross will boot nearly 300 Hurricane Ike survivors from its remaining Houston shelter Sunday, the Chronicle reports, leaving them to the care of federal and local agencies some accuse of “ridiculous lies.” The possibility of transitional housing does little for one FEMA reject, who was told her still-soggy...

Galveston Resort Turns Into Storm Central

Harry Kimball — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:20:14 CDT

A motley crew rode out Hurricane Ike at Galveston’s San Luis Resort, Spa, & Conference Center, Joel Achenbach writes for the Washington Post . Up to 800 people were there, among them the mayor, cops and firefighters, along with storm chasers and drenched refugees holed up as the wind roared and...