Update On FEMA Temporary Trailer Sites Closing In Louisiana
FEMA is providing resources and support services to help families transition to permanent housing
Release Date: March 24, 2008
Release Number: 1603-778
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Continuing the joint effort with the state of Louisiana and local governments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on track to meet the goal of closing FEMA managed group trailer sites by June 1, 2008.
The aggressive timeline coincides with moving families out of temporary trailers and mobile homes before the start of hurricane season. Since first announcing the park closure timeline in Nov. 2007, 91 group parks have closed, leaving 20 open at this time. Roughly 1,035 individuals and households continue to reside in FEMA temporary group housing sites, down from over 4,200 in October of 2007.
Numerous resources are available to help families locate and secure permanent housing. Each family is assigned a caseworker who can provide resources and explain housing options. Applicants are provided with listings of available rental units in their area. FEMA maintains a database of thousands of available rental units within the Fair Market Rate at https://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm, and rental assistance is available to eligible applicants.
Service centers staffed by FEMA applicant services representatives have opened in many of the larger group sites to provide immediate assistance to applicants. Also, a program which provides up to $4,000 to cover relocation expenses for eligible applicants has been extended through Aug. 31, 2008.
FEMA applicants who are currently receiving rental assistance through the FEMA temporary housing program will be assisted with rent through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Assistance with rent will be provided through March of 2009 for those households that remain in compliance with HUD's Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP). One of the major components of DHAP is individual case management services with the objectives of greater self-sufficiency and permanent housing for participating families. For questions regarding DHAP, please contact HUD at 1-866-373-9509.
If you are living in a FEMA provided travel trailer or mobile home and you have yet to find permanent housing, please contact FEMA at 1-888-294-2822. To learn about your eligibility for rental and relocation assistance, you may contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.
Attached is a list of scheduled group park closures. Park closure dates are dictated by parish-mandated closures, lease end dates and the natural progression of residents realizing their permanent housing plans. Park closure dates may change, but residents must continue working towards their permanent housing plan.
FEMA's goal is to transition residents of commercial sites to permanent housing by June 1, 2008. Leases at commercial parks will end as applicants relocate to permanent housing.
Targeted Timeline for Group Site Closures
| 3/31/2008 | Parish |
|---|---|
| Colomb Property | St. Bernard |
| Expanded RTA Algiers Park and Ride | Orleans |
| 4/30/2008 | Parish |
| APOSTOLIC OUTREACH CENTER | Orleans |
| Canal Street 1 | Orleans |
| Canal Street 2 | Orleans |
| Cultural Arts Center Overflow Parking Lot | Orleans |
| Ideal Place Playground | Orleans |
| KW Esplanade Property | Orleans |
| Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport | Jefferson |
| 5/31/2008 | Parish |
| ALVIN PERRET MOBILE HOME PARK | St. John The Baptist |
| Billy Nungesser | Plaquemines |
| Camp Villere | St. Tammany |
| Captain Larry | Plaquemines |
| Davant | Plaquemines |
| Diamond Community Center | Plaquemines |
| James Courville | Plaquemines |
| Lionel Bailey | St. John The Baptist |
| Nunez Community College | St. Bernard |
| Renaissance Village (Groom Rd.) | East Baton Rouge |
| Shandy Acres aka Conner Property | Cameron |
Last Modified: Monday, 24-Mar-2008 15:37:14