Published: November 11, 2009 06:25 pm      

FEMA home program nearing completion

Southeast Texans displaced by Hurricane Ike who are still living in federally-provided mobile home units have just four months to find alternative housing.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Temporary Housing Unit Program, which was available to any county damaged by Hurricane Ike, ends on March 12.

“We are not quite down to the wire, but are getting close,” Ray Perez, public information officer with FEMA’s Region VI office, said.

Since the program started 14 months ago in response to Hurricane Ike damage, 3,720 families have been assisted by the program. Of that amount, all but 1,381 are still in the FEMA units. Most of those were from Orange County, Perez said.

From the 2,025 temporary FEMA homes supplied to Orange County, only 536 remain. Most of the temporary homes were located in Bridge City started where 2,126 families participated in the program.

In Jefferson County, 128 units are still being utilized by homeowners who have either not completed repair work on their dwellings, or by those who were renting before the storm and have not yet found another place to live.

Perez said Orange County has done a good job at transitioning from temporary to permanent housing.

“Overall, in all the counties affected by the storm, we have transitioned about 65 percent back to permanent housing. In Orange County the rate is about 75 percent,” Perez said.

Those remaining in the FEMA temporary housing units should be making every effort to find other living accommodations.

Last week, the first wave of revocation notices sent to renters who were not in compliance with licensing agreements were mailed, Perez said.

“These were renters before the storm who have not made in progress in finding another place to rent because they are either not looking, or have not followed up on any of the rental resources we have given them,” Perez said.

Those receiving revocation letters have 60 days to find another home, or may file an appeal.

Most renters have found other housing. Only five people were sent revocation letters this time around, Perez said.

Renters aren’t the only ones needing to find other housing. This week, warning letters will be sent to homeowners affected by the storm who are not making any progress rebuilding or repairing their homes, or who are not otherwise seeking permanent housing.

Perez said each case would be reviewed individually, and that no one would be forced out of their units during the holidays.

“Time is getting short. The program can only run up to 18 months. It’s already been 14 months since the disaster,” Perez said.