St. Bernard Parish Deadline For FEMA Trailers Is March 31
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Release Number: 1603-844
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The recovery of St. Bernard Parish has been gaining momentum in 2009. Many visible signs of recovery include the ground breaking at Val Reiss Consolidated Park, the official opening of the Renovated Government Complex and the Council on Aging Building. One image of Katrina and Rita that will be less visible in St. Bernard beginning March 31, 2009 will be Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers and mobile homes.
The devastation suffered by homeowners in St. Bernard Parish was greater than any other parish in Louisiana. More than 9,230 FEMA mobile homes and travel trailers were provided as temporary housing for residents, many of whom wanted to be near their damaged home so that they could oversee repairs. St. Bernard residents have been hard at work for the past three and a half years to return to their homes. Today, only 322 households continue to utilize FEMA travel trailers and mobile homes on private sites.
"There is always a fine balance between progress and protection with the issue of temporary housing assistance," said St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro. "As we are pleased with the removal of trailers, we are grateful for the assistance to our community to this point."
In December 2008, St. Bernard Parish enacted legislation removing the waiver that allowed for trailers or mobile homes to be placed on private, residential sites in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As of January 21, residents were required to vacate their units unless they submitted documentation showing a continued need for units and progress toward repairing their homes. The Office of Safety and Permits approved approximately 300 extension requests, giving residents until March 31 to have their units removed. As this deadline nears, residents are encouraged to call FEMA to request removal of their units.
Although FEMA has extended their temporary housing mission until May 1, this deadline does not affect the St. Bernard Parish requirement that residents with extensions vacate their units by March 31. Residents can call their FEMA caseworker to discuss possible alternate housing options.
"FEMA has worked closely with St. Bernard to support these families as they rebuild their homes and their parish. The work is not complete; however, a return to permanent housing is an important milestone," said FEMA Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Acting Director Tony Russell.
If you would like to have your travel trailer or mobile home picked up by FEMA, call the travel trailer hotline at 1-888-294-2822. Residents are encouraged to remove their personal belongings and have the utilities disconnected prior to deactivating their units.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Monday, 30-Mar-2009 09:39:44