Gov. Chris Gregoire Wednesday urged evacuees from Hurricane Rita and Katrina disasters to work with state and local agencies and other organizations to get additional aid following the announcement that FEMA housing assistance will end Dec. 1.

“While I am outraged at the sudden FEMA announcement, we cannot let these evacuees go homeless again,” said Gov. Gregoire. “FEMA’s directive lets us all down.”

Evacuees are urged to go to a temporary assistance center at the Washington Trade and Convention Center next week. The center will be open on Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Federal, state, county and other public and non-profit agencies will be available to provide free advice and assistance to evacuees. Information about interim housing, food assistance, job opportunities, school enrollment and health care will be available.

According to the state’s Emergency Management Division, there are approximately 5,000 evacuees living in counties across Washington State.

“We started Operation Evergreen to welcome displaced Gulf Coast residents to our state to help them begin to rebuild their lives. Washington residents have stepped forward to assist their fellow Americans. We will continue towards that goal,” Gov. Gregoire said.

Thursday the governor will attend a Thanksgiving dinner with students displaced by the Gulf region hurricanes. That dinner will be held at the University of Washington’s Husky Union Building.

Evacuees and those assisting them are reminded that they should continue to get updated information about social services and disaster aid by calling the toll-free hotline 1-800-941-2930.