Katrina housing aid renewed

WASHINGTON —  Under a court order, the Bush administration will restart a housing program for Hurricane Katrina victims this week and begin explaining to thousands of evacuees why their aid was cut off.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled last month that the Federal Emergency Management Agency violated the Constitution when it eliminated short-term housing assistance and provided victims only confusing, computer-generated codes to explain its decision.

FEMA officials testified in court Monday that the agency could restore the system this week. Officials also said they were working to produce easily understandable letters to explain why the aid was eliminated and how to appeal the decision.