Some Commonwealth Residents Receive Travel Trailers/Manufactured Homes
Temporary Housing Options Added in Counties with Limited Rental Resources for Flood Victims
Release Date: August 18, 2006
Release Number: 1649-055
» More Information on Pennsylvania Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) announced the placement of travel trailers and manufactured homes in communities that suffered significant housing losses and damages during the floods in late June.
"Travel trailers and manufactured homes are considered as alternative housing only when adequate rental resources are not available," commented Commonwealth Coordinating Officer James R. Joseph.
One of FEMA's primary programs is disaster housing assistance, which provides grants either to help families relocate to alternative housing, or for homeowners to pay for minimal repairs to their primary residences. It is always FEMA's first priority to find alternative housing within the community, whether it is an apartment, condominium, or house, with travel trailers or manufactured homes as a last option. If residents living in disaster-designated counties have a housing need, they must first call and register for assistance at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
"FEMA teams continue to assess available rental resources in the designated jurisdictions as disaster assistance applicants indicate a need for alternative housing," said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies.
Travel trailers and manufactured homes will be placed on private sites, such as the applicant's property, or commercial parks where individual trailer pads are available. FEMA must also obtain permission and permits from local governments in the areas where travel trailers will be placed.
FEMA officials emphasize that travel trailers and manufactured homes are a temporary housing solution. Individuals and families who receive a travel trailer must pursue permanent housing by taking action to repair, rebuild or replace their damaged dwelling, or find a suitable alternative.
Residents living in disaster-designated counties can still apply for assistance by calling the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for speech- and hearing-impaired applicants. The lines are open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Registration is also available online at www.fema.gov. The registration deadline is September 2, 2006.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Temporary housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not require that an applicant file for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the part of the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. There are other ONA grants such as public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan to be eligible. FEMA will process applications for housing assistance regardless of whether the applicant has applied for an SBA loan and eligibility determinations for applicants requesting FEMA's temporary housing assistance will not be held up because the applicant has or has not filled out an SBA application.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Aug-2006 16:24:53