Published: October 22, 2008 08:58 pm      

About 2,000 FEMA mobile homes to be in SE Texas

FEMA officials estimate 2,000 mobile homes and park model homes to be in Southeast Texas for residents whose houses were destroyed as a result of Hurricane Ike.

However, FEMA officials say if more are needed they will be ready to assist.

“The estimate affects in no way how many will be delivered if needed,” said Simon Chabel, FEMA public information officer.

Bride City officals have said during previous interviews, that only about 12 of the more than 3,500 houses were not affected by the storm.

FEMA officials stated during the pre-placement interviews some residents informed the representative they had found another place to live or repaired their residence and a mobile home was no longer needed.

Officials also hope to reach the 25 per day status on the number of units arriving. However, at this time they admit the process is slow.

Once the unit arrives at a site, it is sometimes up to local officials and utility companies before the residents can move into their new temporary residence.

“Those people who live in their cars and tents on their property are doing so by choice,” said Don Jacks, of the FEMA joint office. “We are working on installing temporary housing as quickly as possible.”

FEMA officials hope lessons learned during this difficult time will push local planning commissions to move ahead to help overcome obstacles and make the process faster in the future in the event another disaster happens.

Federal regulations prohibit FEMA from putting mobile homes in flood prone areas. It is up to local officials to give permission to place the mobile homes in the flood plane areas, according to Albie Lewis, FEMA deputy housing coordinator.

Of the 13,000 interviews conducted in Texas, 12 percent have been approved for temporary manufactured housing.

To help speed up the process, FEMA officials are considering alternatives to place the housing on individual’s property. Although, Lewis admits there are very few commercial sites available for a large number of new mobile homes.

Another alternative is the community sites. However, he is quick to add this is not something that happens overnight, but can take weeks.

The time-consuming process starts with officials scouting for available land, but many “mini sub-divisions” lack the basic essentials such as water,electricity and sewer, he said.

After a contractor reviews the property to see if it meets guidelines, it still must meet local officials approval. If approved, then it goes back to A FEMA review board before any construction can begin, Lewis said.

Once a person receives a mobile home they may be able to live in it up to about 18 months. After then it is reviewed to see if the application needs to be re-certified.

‘It is not from FEMA’s prospective to prioritize who gets the mobile homes first,” Chabel said. “It is on a first come, first serve basis.”

The date has been extended for people who are eligible for housing assistance and staying in hotels to Nov. 30. About 580 units are available in Jefferson County, while there are 69 in Orange County, according to Chabel.