FEMA says starting Dec. 1, it will no longer pay for Katrina evacuees who have been living in hotels.

The action involves fewer than 80 people in Greenville, according to Randy Kennedy, a disaster assistance employee with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Kennedy said Thursday the agency will be scrambling to locate alternative housing, including apartments and public housing.

"Anywhere we can get our hands on, they will be placed," he said.

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He said those staying in hotels and receiving FEMA funding for housing could stay in the alternative locations for up to 18 months.

Kennedy said some of those getting help have indicated that they plan to go back to Louisiana and other states once things have settled.

"There are those who want to stay in the Upstate," he said. "This will give them time to find jobs and housing and resettle," he said.

FEMA said in a statement that it has spent almost $4.4 billion to help 1.4 million families recover from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Kennedy said he didn't know the number of people who are in hotels statewide.

This month, FEMA set up four centers across the state to help evacuees.

More than 240 evacuees came from Louisiana and stayed temporarily at the Palmetto Expo Center. The City of Greenville coordinated that effort with FEMA, the Red Cross and others.

City Manager Jim Bourey said the city is less involved now with the evacuees, but that the city is still providing transportation to the evacuees.