FEMA Trailer Park Closure Plan Moves into Final Phase 

FEMA continues to provide resources and support services to help families transition to permanent housing

Release Date: May 2, 2008
Release Number: 1603-786

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- In November 2007, FEMA announced plans to close temporary group sites in Louisiana and help residents transition to longer-term, safer, and more comfortable housing before June 1, the start of the next hurricane season. At that time, there were over 4,200 households living in FEMA temporary trailer parks. Today, there are less than 700 statewide. 

FEMA caseworkers were assigned to all residents of travel trailers and mobile homes in temporary group sites. They have been available to provide listings of rental property, make referrals for resources, and explain housing options, including the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP).

Numerous State, faith-based, voluntary, and local agencies have also worked hand-in-hand with FEMA to successfully transition families back to permanent housing. Voluntary Agencies have coordinated dozens of housing fairs, provided case management, volunteers, materials, and funds for rebuilding. Louisiana Spirit has been available to provide crisis counseling for residents. The State of Louisiana created the Household Establishment Fund to help families with rental deposits and payments, utility deposits and the purchase of furniture or appliances. The Road Home Program has also coordinated with FEMA to expedite payments to homeowners living in FEMA trailers.

There were once 111 FEMA group sites in Louisiana. Today, there are only 13. Seventy four percent of the residents of the remaining sites scheduled to close by June 1 have already moved out.

FEMA's goal remains to close all group sites by June 1. FEMA caseworkers will aggressively work with residents if they are unable or have not secured affordable housing before June 1.  

Overall, nearly 73,000 individuals and households have moved out of their temporary FEMA trailers and returned to suitable housing. According to Brian Boyle, FEMA's Individual Assistance Section Chief, "This is a tremendous accomplishment and one more sign of recovery."

Of the roughly 18,000 families that continue to reside in travel trailers and mobile homes in Louisiana, more than 2 out of 3 (11,670) are households living on private sites who were homeowners prior to Katrina. Many are still completing repairs and some are waiting for funding. Most families living in travel trailers and mobile homes are eligible for assistance with rent through the Disaster Housing Assistance Program if they choose to rent.

UPDATE ON FEMA TEMPORARY TRAILER SITES CLOSING IN LOUISIANA

Shandy Acres aka Conner Property
Cameron

Renaissance Village
East Baton Rouge

Ideal Place Playground
*park will close 5/1/08
Orleans

Canal Street 1
*park will be closed by 5/5/08
Orleans

Canal Street 2
*park will be closed by 5/5/08
Orleans

James Courville
Plaquemines

Billy Nungesser
Plaquemines

Captain Larry
Plaquemines

Davant
Plaquemines

Diamond Community Center
Plaquemines

Nunez Community College
St. Bernard

Lionel Bailey
St. John the Baptist

Alvin Perret
St. John the Baptist

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-May-2008 12:10:32