The others left in February and March, when, after spending more than $500 million, FEMA stopped paying for hotel rooms housing some 40,000 evacuees across the country. That left many scrambling for places to live. But thanks to the citys squatters-rights law, evacuees here were safe. Their rooms werent paid for, but since theyd been in them for more than 30 days, the hotels couldnt just kick them out. Only a judges order could evict them.
And Johnson, 49, isnt that motivated to leave. For one thing, AMCs in the middle of its Thrill Me marathon. Next up, Gothika. Halle Berry, he says with lazy lust. These days hes usually up all nightits hard to sleep on an empty stomach. When he has to, hell go outside and beg for change, but he doesnt really like that too much. Most days he just showers and gets back in bed, showers and gets back in bed. Once a week he and another evacuee, a diabetic named Larry, walk to a church off the Van Wyck and get canned goods. When Johnsons caseworker, Sharon, comes around, she gives him some bus passes and maybe a few bucks, but shes getting frustrated. They sit around on their butts watching TV. Theres only but so much I can do if theyre not willing to help themselves.
