6 Weeks Later, 9000+ FEMA trailers still empty--People living in tents

[ohio_liberal]

A police officer patrols a row of travel trailers at a Federal Emergency Management Agency staging area on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, in Selma, Ala. The federal government is acquiring temporary homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina far faster than it can distribute them, with more than 9,000 campers and mobile homes now sitting empty at staging areas awaiting delivery. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - More than 9,000 mobile homes and campers meant for the victims of Hurricane Katrina are sitting unused at government staging areas while displaced families continue to live out of tents and shelters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the backlog was inevitable: The temporary housing is easier to acquire than distribute because of the limited number of accessible roads, cleared lots and trucks to haul housing to the storm-ravaged region.

But it's been six weeks, and the people left homeless by the hurricane say they are tired of waiting for the federal government to fulfill its promise.

More...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051013/ap_on_re_us/katrina_housing_backlog;_ylt=Avi2eHVbd7bsyoCz0iZmAbqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-

[merh]

1. Problem is - FEMA has no organization.

I have had 3 FEMA subcontractors this week call me or come out to make sure that my trailer is on my lot and properly connected! THREE (3) in one week.

I know folks who have had their lot cleared for weeks, the streets are clear and yet, no trailer. They have medical problems and concerns, yet no trailer.

FEMA is just screwed up -- it is pitiful. :argh:

[ohio_liberal]

2. So you're lving in one right now?

How is it? We had some of those trailers around here last year after flooding but I never got to see them up close and personal. I wondered about the comfort level.

[merh]

5. I find it very comfortable - especially given I had nothing.

Being able to live on my street again and have a "place" of my own gave me back some of my independence. I am finding my footing. I love my sister and her family, but I swear they were going to file adoption papers if I didn't leave. lol

These are images of my trailer:




This is a brochure of the type of trailer I am in.

[Catherine Vincent]

18. aww, thanks for the pics Merh.

Hopefully you can get a real house back up. God, I just can't imagine my house destroyed like so many after Katrina and losing everything. :-(

[merh]

21. Folks along the street are still finding my belongings in their yards.

This morning a man who lives 3 houses over and across the street brought me one of my golf clubs. It was my favorite wood, too!

It is definitely a weird time.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. I love your avatar and signature!

That definitely fits. And of course I will excuse you while you get your life back together Sweets. :hug:

[merh]

6. Thanks cat_girl!

It is soo good to see you! :hug: I thought it wise to let folks know that I may be a little flaky - sometimes my emotions do get out of wack. Just give me time, I'll get it together, eventually! :silly:

:hug: :loveya:

[SouthernDem2004]

9. I have been offered 3 trailers and yet some people can not get one.

I signed up with FEMA the day of the hurricane. I have a FEMA trailer now but FEMA has called me try to offer me trailers two additional times. Guess they have no idea I have one already. Wonder why I keep getting offered trailers when others on the list have not heard a thing.

[merh]

11. It's frustrating as hell, isn't it.

The last FEMA guy I spoke to was supposed to be by the trailer last night after 6:00 so I could complete paperwork that he said I failed to complete. I asked him what paperwork and he read it to me. After he read it, I told him I completed it the day I signed up for my trailer. Apparently they lost my paperwork. :argh:

The guy never showed up last night, so I called him. He plans to meet with me Saturday morning. :shrug:

[SouthernDem2004]

13. They make you take the FEMA trailer class?

I heard some had to take a class before they would give them their keys.

[merh]

15. I heard that too - but no, I didn't take a class.

They had a story on WLOX about a handicapped, retired military officer that had the trailer on her lot for a week or so, but FEMA hadn't given her the key because she hadn't attended orientation classes. I mean, what the hell is that all about?

I did come home to a piece of paper in my door providing me with a telephone number in case I have maintenance problems or questions. Did you get one of those?

[SouthernDem2004]

17. Nope

I just showed up and signed a form. They handed me the keys and that was it. It was already installed in a RV park. If I have problems I guess I go through the park.

We got cable this week! Woohoo I now have everything but telephone service but I do not want that anyway.

[merh]

20. I don't have cable yet. :-(

I got my telephone landline last week. After seeing my cell phone bill for the month of September, I am glad to have the landline back. ;-)

[SouthernDem2004]

10. Hola,

I know we have had disagreements in the past but if you need anything let me know. I am actually a Police Officer for the City of Biloxi. :P

[merh]

14. We may disagree, but I don't think either one of us is disagreeable.

(At least on purpose ;-) ). I appreciate the offer of help -- if you are on Kensington and you see a jeep by my FEMAnsion, stop by or honk! I'll share water or make you some coffee. More trailers are parking on the street and I have a street light close to my lot, so I feel relatively safe. You guys and Keesler do a great job on patroling the area, Thanks! :hug:

I hope you guys are getting the rest you need. You all have had the toughest jobs, to keep doing them despite the damages to your homes. You have my undying respect! :patriot: Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean I will not disagree with you in the future! ;-)

Thanks, thanks for all you do for us. :hug: :loveya: :patriot:

[SouthernDem2004]

16. Ah, your one of those rich guys with a house on the bay. :)

I actually work the East but you should be asleep when I am working.

I am currently living in a RV park. My neighborhood is to depressing to live in. All my neighbors lost everthing also and the place is a ghost town.

[merh]

19. You are on the point? Damn, that is depressing.

Sorry about your neighborhood. :hug:

I'm not rich, my neighbors are - I lucked into my place and have been holding on to it for years. It is one hell of a spot and now with the trees gone on all sides (and my lot cleared) the view is wonderful. The dolphins were playing in the Bay the other morning.

Why can't folks use the driveways of the military housing south of Kensington? Almost all of those houses are empty and they have the electricity and the sewer and water hookups. It just seems that that space is begging for trailers.

[SouthernDem2004]

22. I actually have a slab in Eagle Point. We took it as bad as the East.

Problem with military property is that it is military property. FEMA has all of these stupid rules and I am willing to bet they can not place on Federal land.

[merh]

23. I was in a 2 story house on River Oaks, not far from you.

during the storm. The 1st floor was gutted and my brother's 1 story house next door was gutted.

I'm sorry you lost it all too. :hug:

Have you been able to find anything? I hope your family is safe.

[SouthernDem2004]

24. I was in my house when things went bad...

Fortunately I sent me family away as usual. Myself and several other Officers took shelter in my home because it was in a safe location. LOL We had to swim/wade for it. Spent the entire hurricane outside trying to rescue my neighbors. It was a long day to say the least.

We found some of the wifes jewelry and a couple of my son's piggy banks. Everthing else was destroyed or washed away. The big screwing is that I do not have flood insurance, no one in me neighborhood does. Would you like to buy a slab for $150,000? :)

[merh]

25. I've got one of my own. lol

FEMA grants and low interest loans are good and if you have your denial letter from your insurance company, you are two steps ahead of me. I can't get my insurance company to call me back.

I intend to litigate -- until I win the litigation, I will make it work with what FEMA has to offer.

[SouthernDem2004]

26. FEMA is useless...

The total they are granting me is just under $9,000 and that is it. That will not do squat.

I put in for the SBA loan a week ago and have not heard back. They did check my credit a few days ago so atleast they are doing something.

I do have my denial letter from Nationwide. Now it is just a waiting game.

I was thinking about joining Scruggs class action suit but I am not sure yet. I may go with someone else. Part of my litigation will be that I witnessed some of the wind damage. I saw my fence blow down and my siding blowing off. Three other Officers also witnessed the damage. The bastards are going to pay to replace my exterior walls.

[SouthernDem2004]

27. Have you read Taylor's H.R.3922?

http://www.house.gov/genetaylor/Rls0927.FloodInsurance.htm

Its in the Finance Committee now. Hope it makes it out.

[merh]

28. I read it, I'm disappointed in him though.

It seems he isn't willing to take on the insurance companies. They have an obligation to us - my neighbor watched the roofs go before the tidal surge. Like you, there are tons of folks that witnessed the destruction of the winds long before the tidal surge took out our houses.

Your statement and the statements of your friends/fellow officers will be vital to the litigation. You all prove the wind damage was first. :thumbsup:

[WI_DEM]

4. Maybe somebody should have taken Bush there when he was

in NO on his uptenth photo-op, and pointed out to him that there are lots of empty trailers which could house homeless people.

[Lars39]

7. Sitting in Selma, Alabama...

full circle

[zbdent]

8. Just saw an item yesterday or today

that there were still 1500 trailers in use after last year's Hurricane Charley in Florida - guess that this is the trailer park community that the RWers are afraid of . . .

[golfaddict]

12. Maybe we should send half...

to Pakistan, just heard on radio it's snowing in parts of that country. I know it's not much, but it would certainly help some of them.