BAY COUNTY, Fla. — Residents expressed frustration after discovering unoccupied FEMA trailers in Bay County, but FEMA says they have helped all who qualify.
About 138 trailers or mobile homes sit on the Bay County Fairgrounds and about 58 of them do not have anyone living in there.
According to FEMA, this is not a mistake.
“In the beginning, FEMA had to estimate how many trailers and mobile home units that we would need for the people who are eligible for the direct housing program. So they sort of overestimated,” said FEMA Spokesperson LeNisha Smith.
On April 9th, Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) ended, leaving 250 families needing help in other ways.
Smith says about 10 of those families will be moving into trailers.
“But for the unoccupied units, we’re definitely working with the state and coordinating with them, seeing what they would like us to do with those unoccupied trailers,” said Smith.
She says FEMA is still helping families in other ways. “Some of them have received some rental assistance through FEMA. Some financial assistance through FEMA to repair their homes so we’re working with all of those applicants, making sure that they have a plan and they receive some sort of assistance.”
She also says, FEMA isn’t the only option and they’re working to help those who didn’t qualify for those in need.
“FEMA is only one piece of the puzzle and a lot of people think that it’s just FEMA assistance but we’re definitely working closely with community leaders, state, local officials, voluntary agencies, faith-based organizations as well to get that assistance for survivors who may not have received assistance through FEMA.”
For the remaining trailers, Smith says they’re waiting on direction from the state to see what to do.
Below are the requirements survivors had to meet to get direct housing assistace. Provided by Spokesperson LeNisha Smith.
What are the eligibility requirements for FEMA’s Direct Housing Program?
Factors in Determining Eligibility:
FEMA may provide assistance when the survivor’s primary residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible. Under federal law, FEMA defines a habitable home as one that is safe, sanitary and functional. A FEMA inspector considers these factors:
- The exterior is structurally sound, including windows, doors and roof;
- Electricity, gas, heat and plumbing are functional;
- The interior is structurally sound, including floors, walls and ceiling.
- There is safe access to and from the home;
- Septic and sewer systems are functioning;
- Water supply is functional.
Group sites are used only when there are no other options for temporary housing. And the housing units we are providing serve as temporary accommodations. They are not permanent solutions.
To date, Hurricane Michael survivors have been licensed into a total of approximately 875 units placed in Florida.
Direct temporary housing may be provided for up to 18 months from the Oct. 11, 2018 date of the Presidential disaster declaration and ending on April 11, 2020. This date applies to all licensed-in survivors, regardless of when they took possession of the unit.
To remain eligible, a survivor must demonstrate continuing progress on a long-term housing plan. Housing program eligibility—and continued occupancy—is determined on a regular schedule for homeowners and renters. FEMA specialists will keep the survivor up-to-date on program details and deadlines with face-to-face meetings, phone calls and letters.
Survivors do not apply for direct temporary housing. After they register for disaster assistance, FEMA contacts households that may be eligible. A pre-placement interview determines whether the applicant needs direct housing and, if so, what type of housing. (The deadline to register for disaster assistance was Dec. 17, 2018.)
This determination, using guidelines approved by the state of Florida and FEMA, is based on the size and needs of the household, including any people with disabilities or other access and functional needs.
Eligible survivors in Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf and Jackson counties are offered housing solutions depending on each applicant’s needs. Direct housing includes:
o Recreational vehicles, also known as RVs or travel trailers, provide an effective interim solution for most households that expect repairs to be completed in less than a year, ideally within six months.
o Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs) – or mobile homes– provide a solution for survivors whose repairs will take longer to complete. Some manufactured units will be available in models compliant with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards to accommodate eligible survivors who require these units to meet their access and functional needs.
o The Direct Lease Program allows FEMA to rent ready-for-occupancy properties—such as condominiums—directly from property owners to temporarily house disaster survivors.
