FEMA is providing manufactured housing units to residents in southwest Louisiana who are not able to live in their homes because of Hurricane Laura damage. FEMA Division Supervisor Gerry Stolar says there are about 9,200 households in six parishes who qualify for this type of assistance.
“The first priority, if it’s possible will be to get the unit installed on an individual homeowner’s site,” said Stolar.
Stolar says they are also looking at putting dozens of manufactured homes in lots around Lake Charles.
FEMA trailers caused illnesses for those living in the portable homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, because of a hazardous level of formaldehyde. Stolar says those issues have been resolved.
“These are very good, quality units and mobile homes that we’ve used as recently as 2016 for the flooding that occurred there,” said Stolar.
FEMA will contact residents whose homes have been identified as uninhabitable to determine their housing needs. FEMA Individual Assistance Supervisor Liz Redfearn says if a Laura survivor initially declines the offer, they can reconsider.
“Some of them are saying they can stay for a long time at a relative’s home or a friend’s home that always sounds really good in the beginning, but that welcome can be worn out quite quickly, and so when that happens they still have the option of calling us back,” said Redearn.
For more information go to disasterassistance.gov.
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