Housing Transition Notice to Applicants Not in Sales Program
You were previously notified that the period of disaster assistance for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita households was ending on May 1, 2009. The purpose of this notice is to inform you that a number of new options are available to assist you in transitioning out of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) temporary housing program. While these new initiatives are put in place and until the transition process is fully implemented, no household will be turned out of their temporary housing unit. FEMA will continue to work with you to ensure that your basic housing needs are resolved.
FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide opportunities for occupants of temporary housing to:
- Benefit from expanded case management services. FEMA will fund and support States in providing case management services to match all occupants of temporary housing units with long-term housing solutions. For example, they will be able to help you determine if you are eligible for other federally-assisted housing programs, and they can also help you find affordable properties to rent or purchase. Case managers will work with you to address potential gaps in the transition from the temporary housing unit to long-term housing.
- Purchase park models for $1 and mobile homes for $5. FEMA is reducing the cost to purchase occupied park models to $1 and occupied mobile homes to $5. Travel trailers are not eligible for sale, as they are not designed for long-term housing.
- Move into donated units. Provided the unit passes the safety inspection, including formaldehyde testing, FEMA will donate a limited number of additional park models and mobile homes to state, local governments and non-profit organizations for households currently occupying a temporary housing unit and in need of continued housing assistance.
- Access increased funding for housing vouchers. HUD will provide $50 million in new housing vouchers to Public Housing Authorities serving Katrina and Rita impacted areas, giving priority to low-income Gulf families who were displaced by the hurricanes, including those who are leaving FEMA temporary housing units. Case managers can help you to determine if you meet the income eligibility requirements for this program, as well as other forms of HUD assisted housing.
We understand that you are not currently part of the FEMA sales program. However, FEMA will now be offering park models for $1 and mobile homes for $5 to eligible applicants from Hurricanes Katrina or Rita who lack permanent housing.
If you are now interested in purchasing the temporary housing unit in which you are currently living, please fax the Notice of Intent (attached to this letter) to 225-338-3222 by July 16, 2009.
Please be advised that throughout the sales process, there are certain criteria you must agree to and documentation you must send to FEMA in order to purchase the unit.
- You agree to pay all applicable State sales taxes and other charges.
- You will become the owner of the park model or mobile home. This means that you are completely responsible for the housing unit. For example, this includes any legal issues that may arise or relocation costs associated with the housing unit. When necessary, you may also be required to move your housing unit to a permanent location within 30 days.
- Some cities, towns, or parishes may require you to have a permit to live there. You must provide copies of the application to obtain these local permits or inspections to FEMA. If the local city, town, or parish will not give you a permit, then another location must be identified, and a permit and copies must be provided to FEMA.
- You must provide documentation showing you intend to purchase insurance for the unit. For example, you could show FEMA a copy of a quote for insurance or a letter from an insurance agent that says you are applying for insurance.
- You are required to comply with local floodplain management codes if the selected site is located within the 100-year floodplain or a designated Special Flood Hazard Area. FEMA will let you know if this is a concern for you.
FEMA will test your unit for formaldehyde prior to the final sale. FEMA will not sell any unit that does not meet the State formaldehyde threshold.
If you are unable or do not wish to purchase the unit, we are working with several non-profit organizations to potentially donate temporary housing units for the use of households currently occupying a temporary housing unit and in need of continued housing assistance. Therefore, if you are interested in being part of a donation, please contact 1-888-294-2822 by July 16, 2009.
If you do not choose to purchase your unit, HUD will send you more information on applying for assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program and other forms of subsidized housing. You may apply for this assistance through your local public housing agency, which will be identified in the information provided by HUD. In order to receive this assistance, you must meet all eligibility criteria for the program.
Both FEMA and HUD understand the challenges that you face during this time, and look forward to working with you in order to make your transition as seamless as possible.
If you have any questions pertaining to this notice, please contact 1-888-294-2822. If you have any other disaster-related questions, please call the FEMA Disaster Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (hearing/speech impaired only, call 1-800-462-7585), or visit www.fema.gov for your information.
Respectfully,
_____________________________________________
IA Section Chief
Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Jun-2009 16:23:20 EDT