FEMA Lays Foundation for Temporary Housing Needs Provides living spaces for flood victims while properties get repaired
Release Date: June 6, 2002
Release Number: 1410-59
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides
Beckley, WV -- Immediately after last month's floods, several West Virginians moved to mobile homes or travel-trailers - provided free of charge by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Because more than 4,600 homes were damaged or destroyed by the May floods and landslides more residents could still be eligible for the mobile-homes-and-travel-trailer temporary housing. Many people in McDowell County and elsewhere will need the housing assistance. That's the assessment of FEMA officials after recent interviews with disaster victims.
"More mobile-home-and-travel-trailer sites are being developed or are being identified to help house flood victims," said John Carleton, the FEMA official responsible for coordinating the housing effort.
Disaster-recovery officials are developing a mobile home park in Premier. Carleton said his operations also have completed two travel-trailer sites for Panther, and they are studying other McDowell County sites to help residents from Coalwood, Iaeger, Northfork, Avondale and Welch, among other hard-hit communities.
Travel trailers usually are placed in driveways or side yards of damaged houses and used as living space for homeowners or renters while property is repaired. These trailers also can be located in commercial parks.
Mobile homes usually are located in existing mobile home parks, private sites or a FEMA/State-developed group site to accommodate homeowners or renters when no existing rental units are available.
This temporary housing gives persons recovering from the flood stable living environments while they make long-range decisions about their housing needs. Individuals may live in the temporary housing for as long as 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration while repairs are underway to their destroyed or damaged homes.
Manufactured housing assistance generally is provided when no other viable rental options exist. This assistance goes to homeowners or renters whose residences are unlivable as a result of the disaster, and those who lack adequate insurance coverage to provide for temporary housing.
FEMA advises individuals to first contact their insurance companies or agents before applying for state and federal disaster assistance, to determine the extent of their coverage. Some insurance companies provide "additional living expense" coverage for such situations.
It takes several weeks to develop sites and relocate individuals from their flooded homes to the safer environment of travel trailers or mobile homes. These units are available to homeowners and renters at no cost.
When a person requests a mobile home or travel trailer, FEMA first verifies the applicant's eligibility for temporary housing and then assesses availability of area housing resources - hotels, motels and vacant rental units.
"We know that in some areas there just aren't any available rentals," said Carleton.
To decide if an individual is better suited for a travel trailer or a mobile home, disaster recovery officials consider the following:
- Travel-trailers are meant for shorter durations.
- Travel-trailers are more maneuverable, easier to set up near the flood-victim's home.
- Travel trailers do not require extensive site development, such as grading, pad development, utility setup and access.
- Homeowners who can make repairs in their homes but can't live in the damaged residences might be better suited for travel trailers while repairs are being made.
Some considerations for a mobile home include:
- The degree of damage. For example, a mobile home is better for a family whose home had been destroyed or had damage so severe that repairs could not be made in a reasonable period.
- Mobile homes are for long-term usage, up to 18 months.
- Mobile homes cannot be placed in the floodplain.
Thus far, FEMA has worked with more than 1,350 families who may need manufactured housing.
FEMA is nearing completion of a 54-home mobile site in Premier. This site could be expanded to accommodate more units if the need exists. An environmental assessment has been completed, including the 72-hour publication process for public comment. On-site utilities are close to being operational.
"Power is not a problem. There is sufficient electrical service nearby. They are installing water pipes to the site and to feed the units. A sewer package plant has been ordered because there was no available sewer on site," Carleton said. In addition to these utilities, phone service, mail delivery and other site development needs are being coordinated.
Carleton said, "FEMA is continuing to contact applicants to determine an individual's current condition and future housing plan. Many are still living with friends and family."
As the need arises in some of the other hard-hit areas, FEMA is looking to develop other mobile-home-and travel-trailer sites. "We are working with the state to identify additional land for mobile-home site development," Carleton said.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 17:00:27