FEMA Begins Next Phase of Inventory Reduction of Excess Temporary Housing Units
Release Date: May 1, 2009
Release Number: FNF-09-011
FAQ: FEMA Begins Next Phase Of Inventory Reduction Of Excess Temporary Housing Units
Washington, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will start the next phase of its inventory reduction plan to dispose of excess temporary housing units (travel trailers and manufactured housing) determined no longer suitable by FEMA for response to disasters.
Reducing the size of the inventory will significantly reduce the annual cost -- approximately $133 million annually -- that FEMA is incurring to store the current inventory of approximately 120,000 excess manufactured housing units (also known as mobile homes) and travel trailers.
Units will be disposed of through the process outlined in the Federal Management Regulation (FMR), 41 CFR 102 (Personal Property). FEMA will begin transfers, donations and sales of units designated as "repairable," i.e., unusable in their current condition for FEMA's needs but can be made usable by recipients if some level of repairs are completed. The extent of needed repairs can vary widely, and those interested in acquiring or purchasing units are urged to assess unit condition, prior to the transfer, donation or sale.
The General Services Administration (GSA) serves as the federal government's disposal agent to make excess property available to federal, state and local government entities, and when authorized, to the public. In accordance with the FMR, FEMA will report units to GSA to make them available first to other federal agencies through GSA screening.
- Once federal agencies have the opportunity to screen and request units, if there are remaining units, GSA will follow prescribed procedures by advertising the available units to the State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP) in each state and territory. Nonprofit organizations interested in acquiring these units must work with their state SASP to ensure the organization is eligible to receive federal donations under criteria established by law and request these items from GSA.
- Once SASPs have the opportunity to request units, if there are remaining units, GSA will offer them for sale to the public through GSA Auctions®; GSA's internet auctions website (www.gsaauctions.gov).
The purchasing entity assumes all costs of transportation, costs to make units roadworthy and all legal responsibility for the units at the time of purchase. Units are sold as described in the sales offering with no evaluation of condition. Purchasers will be required to sign a buyer's certificate acknowledging that a purchased travel trailer is not to be used as housing and will not be re-sold as housing. In addition, prior to sale, FEMA will place a clearly-visible decal "Not to be used for housing" on the door window of each travel trailer. This disclaimer does not apply to manufactured housing, which is regulated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Last Modified: Friday, 01-May-2009 16:19:55