I lived in Rockledge Florida 2004-2005 and moved to Arkansas summer 2005, and we had to hunker down from Katrina up here. We felt like the hurricanes had followed us. Lots of people opened up their homes to help others out, and the horror stories that developed from that helping others in need and the abuse of that kindness, just sickening. No telling how many walked into traps of predators either.

@Weltansicht I had never heard about that abuse until now. Saddens the soul to understand how much goodness has been lost in our society. Makes you wonder when exactly that rot set in and why.

@toronto_Georgia I am not sure how wide spread it was, or if it was localized areas, but in Springfield Missouri they took in a lot, and getting them out after they wore out their welcome was a real issue, you could not even legally evict them since you invited them in. Also took years to get rid of the displaced residents from the FEMA camp trailers here in Arkansas, free rent free food free everything with no responsibility [bolivarmonews.com]

@Weltansicht So anyone who contacted "openyourhome.com" was pouched according to this statement;

"*The Web site openyourhome.com is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the American Red Cross, according to a statement released by the agency. The Red Cross is providing shelter for victims using guidelines issued by FEMA and the National American Red Cross."