FEMA Provides Mobile Homes For Indiana Disaster Area
Release Date: July 10, 2008
Release Number: 1766-039
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Some Indiana residents put out of their homes by the recent disaster will get mobile homes to use as temporary housing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing the units at the request of Governor Mitch Daniels.
Officials from FEMA and Indiana's Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) estimate that the need may be for 100-500 units. Some residents could be in the units as early as next week.
Although the primary focus, as requested by the Governor, will be Bartholomew, Morgan and Vigo counties, residents of other counties will be considered as needs are identified. FEMA assesses the need for such housing by interviewing applicants. The agency has made more than 4,000 preliminary calls to applicants so far.
Requests for housing are reviewed and prioritized based on current living situation and other circumstances. For example, anyone living in a shelter would have first priority. The need to relocate closer to schools, day care or doctors would be examples of other factors taken into consideration.
Mobile homes are only used as temporary housing when other resources such as apartments and rental houses are not available in the area. So far, FEMA has disbursed $43.7 Million to Indiana households including more than $5 Million in rental assistance.
In order to qualify for this direct housing assistance, households affected by the disaster must register with FEMA and have sufficient disaster-related damage to their primary residence that makes it uninhabitable.
Register with FEMA by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or on-line at www.fema.gov. Those with speech or hearing impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
Mobile homes are usually about 14 feet wide by 60 feet long and are "move-in ready" with everything residents need to set up housekeeping. This includes full furnishings along with necessary items such as bedding, towels, dishes, pots and pans, etc.
Occupancy of a FEMA mobile home or park model is strictly voluntary - and temporary. They are intended to meet emergency needs that end when each occupant's permanent home is repaired or alternate housing is found.
The maximum length of stay in one of these units is 18 months from the date of declaration. During that time, the applicant must be working toward a permanent housing plan. Each household is assigned a caseworker to assist them in developing a permanent housing plan.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jul-2008 16:06:40