NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- FEMA is extending into March a program providing hotel stays for victims of hurricanes Gustav and Ike in Louisiana.

The initial deadline for transitional sheltering was Jan. 17. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was extended at the state's request to March 2 for Gustav victims and March 13 for Ike victims.

The program is meant to provide storm victims a place to stay while they make alternate living arrangements or fix storm-damaged homes. FEMA says it reviews the status of those in the program every two weeks to ensure they're moving toward more permanent housing.

Since the September hurricanes, FEMA says its provided hotel or motel stays to 6,337 Louisianans. More than 1,300 families still rely on the program.