More Than 50,000 Mississippians Housed In Travel Trailers
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Release Number: 1604-131
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JACKSON, Miss. -- More than 50,000 displaced individuals are now housed in over 18,000 travel trailers or mobile homes to meet their temporary housing needs, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) announced today.
Housing priorities were set immediately following Hurricane Katrina to address the housing needs of the thousands of people left homeless by the storm. The majority of those who have received travel trailers or mobile homes were living in very unsafe conditions or had other immediate needs.
"Since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast , we have been working continuously to provide displaced residents with temporary shelter. In 77 days, we have housed a city the size of Hattiesburg ," Gov. Haley Barbour said. "This is a remarkable achievement that truly shows the spirit of Mississippians. I'm proud of what we have accomplished so far, but I know there is much more that can be and will be done to help this state and coastal residents rebuild their lives."
Officials say that the placement of families into travel trailers is consistent at approximately 400 units or 1,100 individuals per day. One hundred eighteen individuals are now occupying travel trailers or mobile homes that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
"It continues to be an enormous task to find safe, sanitary and functional housing for those affected by the storms," said Robert Latham, director of MEMA. "While we are thrilled that more than 18,000 families are now in a more permanent situation, we ask individuals to continue to look to their own housing needs while waiting for a travel trailer or mobile home."
Travel trailers and mobile homes can be set up on private property when certain safety and code requirement criteria are met. Additionally, FEMA is building emergency group sites for manufactured housing, and placing mobile homes on commercial sites.
Displaced persons who turn down living in an emergency group site or commercial site in the hope of getting a travel trailer on their own property will be placed back on the list to determine if their site is feasible.
"Many Mississippians are waiting patiently with the understanding that others are in greater need." said Nick Russo, deputy federal coordinating officer for FEMA. "Those who are staying with relatives or in hotels will begin, within the next few weeks, to hear from the FEMA mobile home and travel trailer operations staff."
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 09:27:14