Damage to FEMA Travel Trailer May Be Federal Crime
Release Date: October 31, 2006
Release Number: 1606-264
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AUSTIN, Texas -- Disaster survivors occupying travel trailers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reminded that these temporary homes are the property of the federal government and excessive damage to them may violate the written agreement with FEMA for occupancy.
Due to housing shortages in southeast Texas following Hurricane Rita's landfall on Sept. 24, 2005, more than 4,600 travel trailers were issued as temporary homes for hurricane survivors suffering damage to their permanent residences. A year later, there are still almost 3,000 travel trailers occupied by hurricane survivors and about 37 others in mobile homes and travel trailers as a result of the wildfires in northern Texas.
The federal investment of about $20,000 for each of these units is protected by certain regulations which occupants acknowledge upon signing an agreement with FEMA. Tenants in commercial group sites are also given copies of park rules, which are posted on site. Unfortunately, some recipients of the homes have vandalized the units, used them for illegal purposes, removed furniture or otherwise violated the provisions of their agreement.
"It is sad to see that some of the recipients in our travel trailer program don't appreciate the helping hand we've given them," said E.C. "Butch" Smith, director of the Texas Transitional Recovery Office in Austin . "These people are not only risking fines and jail time, they may lose a roof over their heads as well."
The agreement requires that tenants must keep the trailer and surrounding area clean; leave the travel trailer in its current location; abide by all local laws; look for permanent housing; and, in group site locations, abide by all specified park rules. In addition, residents are responsible for maintaining their trailers by keeping them clean, changing light bulbs and smoke detector batteries, and making sure propane fuel tanks are refilled.
Rules broken by any member or guest of a household may result in the entire family being asked to leave the unit immediately. A tenant removed from a trailer for violating the rules and caught trespassing back in the area may be arrested and subject to fines and jail time.
Normal wear and tear is expected, but FEMA inspectors have found many instances of excessive damage. One unit had 300 cigarette burns to the interior, another had cabinet and refrigerator doors pulled off and, in one case, the entire unit was burned to the ground.
As disaster survivors have moved to a new stage of recovery, more than 1,600 travel trailers in Texas have been returned to FEMA's Jasper staging area in Texas . Parts from units damaged beyond repair may be used to refurbish other units, but about 25 percent of the returns are unusable locally, either because of the extent of the damage or the lack of repair facilities locally. Salvageable units that cannot be repaired in Jasper are sent on to Hope , Arkansas , where FEMA maintains a national travel trailer/mobile home distribution and repair facility.
Travel trailer occupants are also reminded that if an evacuation is ordered due to more flooding or storms, occupants should be prepared to leave the trailer behind. Moving the unit is dangerous and also violates the terms of the sheltering agreement.
Occupants with questions about any item involving the travel trailer should call the maintenance number posted in the unit. As numbers vary depending on location, be sure to use the number posted in the occupied unit.
The same number can be used to request FEMA to remove the travel trailer from the property because it is no longer needed. Residents calling for a move-out should be prepared to be at a move-out inspection and return keys to FEMA representatives.
Occupants who cannot locate the number may call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY 1-800-462-7585). Outsiders wanting to report illegal activities should contact their local law enforcement authority, who will notify FEMA.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 31-Oct-2006 15:00:19