Disaster Housing Program Extended In West Virginia
Release Date: February 5, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-13
Philadelphia, PA -- The Disaster Housing Program for the 2001 flooding in West Virginia has been extended for six months, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced.
The program reached its 18-month statutory limit on Dec. 3, 2002. It was extended to June 3, 2003, to allow families displaced by the flood additional time to recover from the event, according to FEMA Acting Regional Director Patricia G. Arcuri.
The severe storms, flooding and landslides resulted in extensive damage, mainly to the southern part of the state. The affected area contains few rental-housing units. To meet the temporary housing needs of displaced families, FEMA and the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services implemented a large manufactured-housing program. Currently, 119 applicants are housed in travel trailers or manufactured housing. At its peak, 1,032 applicants occupied the units.
In addition to the scarcity of rental housing, the sparse population and limited income, the disaster area does not support a large number of home repair contractors.
"FEMA Region III staff, the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services and the West Virginia Housing Development Fund are coordinating their efforts to develop a permanent housing solution for those families still occupying the temporary housing," Arcuri said.
Last Modified: Friday, 11-Apr-2003 15:56:20