FEMA And State Building Nine Mobile Home Parks
Release Date: November 12, 2004
Release Number: 1539-270
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eligible Florida families displaced after recent hurricanes will find temporary housing at nine mobile home parks under construction throughout the state.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Emergency Response Team (SERT) are creating these mobile home parks to combat the housing shortage caused by damage from the four hurricanes that have hit the state since August.
In October, Phase I of a mobile home park in Punta Gorda opened with 104 pads on 66 acres leased from the Charlotte County Airport Authority. When Phase II is completed, the new community constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will hold up to 350 mobile homes, each 14 feet by 70 feet with three bedrooms and a full bath.
USACE also is constructing eight more mobile home parks in counties hit hard by the hurricanes. Charlotte County will open another community for more than 200 mobile homes in December. Construction is underway at sites in DeSoto and Hardee counties of 150 mobile units each to open in November and December, respectively. By the end of November four sites in Escambia County and one in Santa Rosa County will be completed and ready for mobile homes.
“These mobile home parks are designed to meet the housing needs of those most affected by the disasters,” said State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate.
To ready the sites, the Corps is filling in land, grading the sites, laying drainage pipes, putting in street lights and signs, and installing water, sewer, electrical and telephone lines.
Eligible Floridians can occupy the mobile homes rent free. Occupants must pay for services such as water, electricity, phone and cable TV. Pets are allowed. ADA-compliant units are available.
“Our efforts demonstrate how committed we are to filling the need for housing,” said Bill Carwile, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “If no safe housing is available, we will build communities for trailers and mobile homes to help people get back on their feet.”
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, FEMA and SERT also created Emergency Group Sites in the state’s hardest-hit areas, placing travel trailers in new housing mini-parks in a matter of days. When completed, nine sites will have been built with a total of 833 units.
To date, more than 4,800 manufacturing units have been occupied statewide for displaced hurricane victims in need of housing.
Other types of temporary housing aid include repair grants and rental assistance. Hurricane victims who still need immediate housing and have no other alternatives are asked to call the toll-free Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline at 1-888-472-1727 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern time, seven days a week.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 12-Nov-2004 10:56:07