New FEMA Mobile Park Opens In Martin County
Release Date: May 2, 2005
Release Number: 1545-363
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Frances
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Jeanne
ORLANDO, Fla. -- On Monday, May 2, Martin County families displaced by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne will begin moving into a new mobile home park in Indiantown designed to provide temporary, safe and habitable housing.
Because of the extent of housing damage sustained after the two September hurricanes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with state, county and town officials, chose to develop this temporary housing site. The land has been leased from the Indiantown Non Profit Housing Inc.
Under the direction of FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed the Heritage Park mobile home park for 70 mobile homes at 15000 SW Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Contract work consisted of site design; soil filling and grading; storm water management; utility design for the installation of water, sewer and electricity; laying drainage pipes; pad installation; fencing and erosion prevention; and installing street lights and signs.
Heritage Park will hold 14 feet x 70 feet mobile homes, each with three furnished bedrooms, one bath, kitchen appliances, and living room and dining furniture. Eligible residents will occupy the mobile homes rent-free while they attempt to locate more secure permanent housing. Occupants must pay for services such as water, electricity and phone. Pets are allowed.
“The establishment of this site is designed to meet the housing needs of those most affected by the disaster,” said State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate, head of Florida’s State Emergency Response Team (SERT).
Park occupants will move from area FEMA/SERT emergency group sites. These sites were established immediately after the hurricanes using travel trailers and above ground utilities.
Since the onset of the hurricanes, FEMA has provided 542 short-term housing manufactured units – mobile homes and travel trailers – to individuals in Martin County. These units have been placed on residents’ private property, in short-term housing sites or on leased commercial park space.
Temporary housing is but one type of aid offered to eligible victims whose dwellings sustained damage after the 2004 hurricanes.
To date, more than 17,000 Martin County applicants have been approved for nearly $33 million from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, which includes repair grants and rental assistance.
SERT is a collaboration of Florida’s state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. Visit www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief effort.
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: Monday, 02-May-2005 13:39:55