"One of the greatest challenges presented by the scope and scale of catastrophic disasters is the ability to house displaced evacuees.... To further enhance housing capabilities, FEMA has engaged Federal, Tribal, State, and local partners to develop a National Disaster Housing Strategy (NDHS). The purpose of the NDHS is to convey national guidance, operating principles, and a vision for public (Federal, State, tribal, local), private, and non-profit cooperation in providing disaster housing assistance. It defines the roles, programs, authorities, and responsibilities of all entities, detailing shared responsibilities and emphasizing the cooperative efforts required to provide disaster housing assistance. The NDHS further outlines the most efficient and cost-effective options for meeting disaster housing needs. The NDHS is in the final development stages". (FEMA, Statement of Glenn Cannon, December 4, 2007, pp. 7-8)