Published: November 10, 2009 07:47 am      

FEMA trailer dwellers’ days are numbered

Orange County Commissioners are expecting to receive in the upcoming months many phone calls from citizens who will become homeless after their FEMA trailer is taken from them.

“I have already received calls about people who are being kicked out of FEMA trailers,” said Carl Thibodeaux, Orange County Judge.

People who were renting property which was damaged by Hurricane Ike were given a FEMA trailer to live in. However, the contract they signed stated the permanent residence was to be repaired consistently while they lived in the trailer. In addition, they were required to find alternate affordable housing if the residence was not repaired. However, with the number of damaged houses and lack of housing options, this has not been an easy task and time is running out. FEMA representatives have stated they will allow the trailers to be used until March 12, 2010.

Thibodeaux said in the Monday commissioners court meeting, that he pointed out to FEMA officials how victims of Hurricane Katrina where still living in trailers provided by FEMA. However, he added he was told “that was a different issue.”

“This will be devastating to some people in Orange County,” Thibodeaux said.

“Our hands are tied.”

Thibodeaux expressed his frustration and said he feels FEMA officials will leave people homeless just to prove a point.

“They will move them (FEMA trailers) somewhere just to let them sit and rot,” he said.

Commissioners also discussed the possibility of receiving funds left over from Hurricane Rita. The county has not been told an exact amount yet, Thibodeaux said.

The social services block grant could reimburse the county for expenses incurred such as mosquito control after the 2005 storm hit. However, the money recovered could not have already been paid by insurance or with FEMA funds.

“Whatever it is, it’s money we don’t have now,” Thibodeaux said.

Commissioners also issued a resolution as part of the second step of the process so the county can obtain funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program. The county could receive about $100,000 and possible additional funds as well.

In other county business, Vera Martinez Wynn, Senior Marketing Director, Orange County Diabetes Prevention Awareness and Health Education Program and Paula Tacker, Orange County Extension Agent of family and consumer Sciences, were given a proclamation in recognition of World Diabetes Day on November 14.

“There are 23.8 million people in the U.S. with diabetes,” Wynn said.

Saturday there is an event planned at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel located 2655 Interstate 10. Opening ceremonies are at 8:45 a.m. The event last until 3 p.m. People are invited to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the day. There will be guest speakers, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations. In addition, there will a 1-mile diabetes walk at closing.

For more information contact the Orange County Extension Office at 409-882-7010.