Disaster Housing Process: FEMA Strives To Meet Temporary Housing Needs
Release Date: April 20, 2006
Release Number: 1634-028
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JACKSON, Tenn. -- Federal and state officials want to keep Tennessee tornado victims as close to their original neighborhoods as possible to help provide stability during recovery.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Housing staff first looks for available rental properties near the affected communities to house disaster victims temporarily. Rentals could include houses, apartments or mobile homes already located in established commercial parks.
FEMA Applicant Assistant Services match displaced residents to available units to ensure the rentals meet the families’ requirements. Travel trailers, by law, can be used only where other rental resources are not available.
“That option would be our last resort,” said Michael Karl, the official in charge of Tennessee’s recovery operations for FEMA. “Travel trailers may not meet the special needs of elderly or disabled applicants and are too cramped for large families. We work directly with each applicant to find the best solution.”
FEMA representatives continue to work with displaced families to help them plan for more permanent solutions to their housing needs.
Displaced residents can register for disaster housing by calling the toll-free FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or the TTY number 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. People also can register online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 20-Apr-2006 15:41:17