Arkansas housing thousands of empty FEMA trailers

[Changenow]

LITTLE ROCK New stats from FEMA show that thousands of empty mobile homes the agency ordered to house refugees in the wake of Hurricane Katrina now sit empty at sites near Texarkana and Hope.

In total, FEMA ordered 20 thousand mobile homes after Katrina for displaced families. The cost was more than 500 (m) million dollars. But as of last week only 889 were occupied and more than 10,000 were empty with about half of those near Arkansas cities.

more

(today's news)

http://www.wmcstations.com/global/story.asp?s=4227761&ClientType=Printable


(by contrast this ran three days ago)

New Orleans evacuees plead for housing, other assistance

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — New Orleans evacuees pleaded Sunday for temporary housing and other assistance so they can return to and help restore their city to its unique, pre-Hurricane Katrina charm.

‘‘We want to come back, we want to rebuild. But we’re not going to come back until we’re sure we’re going to get the help that’s needed,’’ 6th Ward resident Brenda Jacobs told the Bring New Orleans Back Commission, a group appointed by Mayor Ray Nagin to make recommendations on how the city should be rebuilt.

Some 50 evacuees — most of them staying in Memphis and Little Rock, Ark. — attended a Town Hall-style meeting designed to obtain comments on rebuilding proposals, including a plan by the Urban Land Institute calling for redevelopment efforts to be concentrated on sections of the city occupying the highest ground.

more

http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/articles/2005/12/06/news/news1.txt

[Solly Mack]

1. Why does the government hate the people?

Why is the government waging war on the citizens of America?

Instead of asking "Why do you hate America?" people need to be asking "Why does America hate her people?"

[atommom]

8. Helping these people would not be profitable, since they have so little

money. And the government has a vested interest in not helping people efficiently. The government spent money ... it tried to help ... but we see that government aid really doesn't solve any problems. It all should have been privatized. :sarcasm:

[Solly Mack]

11. Ain't that the truth! That's exactly the spin for the exactlly that reason

to privatize...and let's not forget the other one "allow 'charities' to do it instead of the government"

I think I'm going to make a list of all the ways government hates the people - with Katrina making up a big portion of it.

[0007]

30. Love of the land

[xultar]

2. WHY DON'T THEY PUT THE TRAILERS IN NOLA??????

Makes me think they don't want the people to go back home.

[salin]

4. Put this story with today's nyt story

and it doesn't make me just "think" this is the case.

[jbnow]

5. The article doesn't say

why they aren't being used. It does say they started storing them in early October and is paying 25 thousand dollars a month for the storage space.

Makes no sense. Anyone know?

[Anita Garcia]

10. Not in my backyard politics

The trailers have to be placed somewhere to be used.
Some devastated areas have no water or electricity.
Some devastated areas have water and electricity but local governments are not allowing the trailers to be placed on public or private property.
Bowing to "not in my backyard politics", local authorities are not changing existing prohibitions on "trailer parks" or are not enacting legislation to allow for parks and private property to be used as "trailer parks" for the displaced.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Oh sure blame the locals

Without links to back up your claims, I am calling them horse pucky. Your theory makes no sense. Why would local leaders not want their citizens (their TAX BASE) to return to the community? You can't very well rebuild without PEOPLE.

There was a story here just the other day about FEMA confiscating land (remember that eminent domain SC ruling not long ago?) to house trailers in Mississippi. The woman who owns the land is fighting to get it back so she can reopen her own business. So yes, they CAN and they are placing trailers on private property.

[Anita Garcia]

16. Here are some links and yes, Virginia, there is racism in La.

Marrero/Jefferson Parish:
<http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1133593181325970.xml?nola>"If they want to take in Jefferson Parish residents only, that's one thing. But outsiders, no," . . . . "Jefferson Parish Councilman Byron Lee says that his constituents were speaking out of fear when they decried plans to build a temporary trailer park in Marrero to house hurricane victims.
No doubt he's right, but the comments some West Bank residents made at a public forum also reflect another emotion: hatred. That's a shame because hatred is far more destructive."

<http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/library-90/1133337417287360.xml?nola> "what kind of residents will live in the still-unoccupied park, what security provisions will be in place " ...""How do we know these people are not from the projects of Orleans?" "


This is uproar in trailer placement sites in New Orleans:

<http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/library-91/113419822686760.xml?nola> "The demand for such group sites, so far, vastly exceeds the supply, which has been slowed because the initial strategy of Nagin's administration -- to find locations near repopulated areas of the city -- stirred a hornet's nest of opposition because several of the sites are public parks."

<http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-6/113419972586760.xml?nola> "I am shocked at all the controversy over the placement of the FEMA trailers. I know a handful of people waiting for trailers who are taxpaying, and let me remind the city councilmen and women, voting citizens.". . . ." And let me say this, come re-election time I am going to remember who tried to help all the citizens get their lives back and who tried to just secure the bubble that they live in."

<http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/library-91/113420032586760.xml?nola> "Butler, along with other New Orleans residents and City Council members. are upset that they did not have a voice in choosing the trailer sites. "

<http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/library-91/1134113719319820.xml?nola> Council members complain about placement at parks and playgrounds. But, I believe the real complaint is that the trailer parks would be next to neighborhoods. <http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1133593143325970.xml?nola>

Other Parishes:
<http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=5658> "As soon as FEMA began locating sites for trailer parks across Louisiana, angry residents began storming parish council and police jury meetings in protest." This article notes those Parishes that have refused to bow to the NIMBY attitude. The Mayor of Baton Rouge has acted heroically in my opinion. "Some parishes stepped up to the challenge, like East Baton Rouge, which made available a large tract of land in Baker for over 500 trailers. Others, from Livingston to Lafayette, refused to approve even most-sized developments."

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. IMO, FEMA is the larger enemy here

In a combative hearing pitting an unapologetic Michael Brown against frustrated members of Congress, the former FEMA director defended his handling of Hurricane Katrina and laid the blame for evacuation failures on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-09-27-brown_x.htm

Among our conservative friends, there still appears to be a considerable amount of denial over the question of whether (and how) FEMA failed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In fact, many Bush administration apologists seem not to even understand FEMA's role, suggesting that the bulk of the failures belong at the state and local levels.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_09/007104.php

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, federal and local authorities have proven themselves incapable of reacting to dire predictions of destruction, learning from previous catastrophes, or letting more capable organizations lend a hand. An agency led largely by public relations execs rather than emergency management personnel, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has botched even the one disaster it should have been able to cope with: a PR nightmare. On September 4, then-head Michael Brown said the agency was "pulling out all the stops" for its next task, temporary housing. Who wants to pile in first?
http://www.reason.com/links/links091305.shtml

In nearly the most shocking display of stupidity to date, the U.S. government is set to burn 400,000 NATO military rations donated to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort from Great Britain due to bureaucratic red tape.
http://www.ioerror.us/2005/09/21/feds-burn-food-ship-ice-to-maine/

You must realize just how much FEMA wanted to be in control of the disaster response, as opposed to control being with Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco. So much so that they spent as much time refusing aid and turning back rescue workers, food, and supplies, as they did hitting up Florida’s emergency manager. If it wasn’t under FEMA’s direct control, it wasn’t going in.
http://www.ioerror.us/2005/10/18/fema-e-mails-show-disorder-chaos-in-katrina-response/

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is blocking some 500 airboat pilots from entering New Orleans to assist in rescuing victims still trapped in floodwaters.
http://www.ioerror.us/2005/09/02/fema-stalls-hurricane-rescue-efforts/

Real estate is normally a risky business. But developer John Biris admits he took an enormous gamble when he decided to house Hurricane Katrina victims without any guarantee from the federal government that he would be reimbursed.

So far, that gamble has resulted in 35 families finding shelter in the Marywood Apartment Homes. For Biris, however, it has yet to pay off.

"We still haven't been paid," he said. "(But) we still haven't moved anyone out."
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/top/2_1_AU24_KATRINA_S1.htm

Ever since she applied for housing assistance days after the storm, she has called FEMA day and night and is told her application is still pending.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9995826/

Critics are questioning why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is continuing to house Hurricane Katrina evacuees in expensive hotels and motels, while available homes and apartments sit vacant.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/katrina_motels.html

[Anita Garcia]

23. No doubt!

[0007]

24. Got some links?

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. ZING!!

We have a winner!!

[0007]

25. Right on! But some here just don't get it.

[EFerrari]

3. Kick

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Oh, my dear God. Some days here, there are just no words...

to express the outrage you feel toward these people.

[cornermouse]

7. They had a story on tv the other day about people still living in their

cars where their homes used to be, with empty trailers within sight, one of them just across the street. FEMA wasn't letting them move in till they processed (apparently very very slowly) the claim.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. The response to the hurricanes is a total national disgrace.

[Timefortruth]

29. It's all about the restoration of a two class system

and it's moving fast.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. They don't want these people back in NO

It is so obvious. And it disgusts me. We are witnessing social engineering, folks.

[MrPrax]

15. Not Bad...

Good trailers...bigger than I thought.

Too bad they can't be used in Orleans...but I am sure clever social democrats can easily find 10000 families who COULD use a home and thus eliminate the 'taxpayer waste' talking point.

Just goes to show that GOVERNMENT does indeed have the capacity to solve homelessness if it actually pulled the trigger.

Also too bad that 'social need' has to be qualified by 'hurricane'

[EFerrari]

18. Bingo.

:nuke:

[pitohui]

26. they can be used in new orleans

FEMA has been refusing to place trailers in places where there are no utilities, however, a large part of devastated lakeview in new orleans received electric service today

they can start moving the trailers to those areas as the power comes online

that is, if they are serious abt helping these people

[Anita Garcia]

31. trailers are temporary - still government waste

<http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/13387106.htm>

FEMA contracts for recovery do not allow for the provision of permanent housing. Or stated another way, FEMA does not provide permanent housing or repair of residents' homes, only the provision of temporary or "non-sustainable" housing.
FEMA through SBA also has contracts available for providing maintenance and "take-down" of trailers.

This is another irony of the Katrina/Iraq comparison. Domestically, the Administration will only provide non-sustainable temporary housing. On foreign soil, the contracts provide for sustainable or permanent housing and repair of residents' homes. "U.S. and Iraq officials "worked with Najaf's governor and other local officials to rebuild the local police force, repair residents' homes, refurbish schools, restore water and other essential service, reopen a soccer stadium, complete with new lights and fresh sod." " - Bush, Dec. 7, 2005.<http://www.aina.org/news/20051207124436.htm>

I wonder about these temporary trailers. Has FEMA ever provided these trailers before and if so, where are they now? For the Katrina/Rita disaster the SBA is about to award (I think on Dec. 15th) fifteen (15) 1.5 billion dollar contracts for maintenance and removal of FEMA trailers for Katrina/Rita victims. When I asked the SBA official at our summit about what happens to these trailers after they are removed, he said they will be stored for the next time they are needed.

[EFerrari]

17. So, we paid $25K (!) per trailer that no one is being allowed

to use.

Heckuva job.

[Igel]

20. It doesn't actually say that, you know.

The most obvious inference is that it's $25k/month for the lot.

[EFerrari]

22. Ah. I thought we paid that amount for that # of units. n/t

[spotbird]

32. You're both right

The trailers cost 25-30k to manufacture, but the amount FEMA paid for them hasn't been disclosed. Likely the answer to that question is another horror.

The article posted didn't mention the cost per trailer, but another one does:


Arkansas housing thousands of empty FEMA trailers


skip

James McIntyre, a FEMA spokesman, said 5,840 mobile homes and 80 travel trailers are at Hope and the Texarkana sites, along with more than 4,400 mobile homes and 4,200 travel trailers at the other staging areas.

"There's no schedule," McIntyre said. "We will work as quickly as possible to place people as fast as possible, but we will take all the time it needs to make sure its done safely and correctly."

McIntyre wouldn't say how much FEMA has spent on mobile homes or travel trailers, but Savage said the homes cost $25,000 to $30,000 each.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/3516247.html

[Joe Chi Minh]

19. Why are the Democratic law-makers not concertedly raising

Cain about this in Congress or the Senate?

Well, politically-speaking, from the Democratic standpoint, to have the neocons suddenly do something creditable would be a bit scary. I know it's irrational, but you couldn't help wondering if they might suddenly start acting like politicians, instead of like a kleptocracy of unparalleled cynicism and ineptitude.

When the indictments gather steam, it wouldn't matter, but at this point, while they still have a poultice on a lot of the levers of power, it's a bit unnerving - since they can make so much of what they want to, and so little of what they'd rather downplay.

The trouble is, though, it's the lives of so many families who have been criminally dispossessed, that are concerned, so politics - if such political considerations are a key factor - should be ignored by the Democrats.

[pitohui]

27. well hell if they do it isn't reported

mary landrieu has had quite a lot to say, so has blanco

you hear any of it in the nat'l media?

the press is owned by the gop, so we're basically screwed, as new orleans is a largely democratic city, and the state itself has a highly visible woman democratic senator and woman democratic governor

the intent of rove & the gop is always going to be to make the democrats & the women look like idiots & if a few people have to go homeless to achieve that goal what do they care?

[spotbird]

28. The polls aren't back

They haven't decided whether it's safe to do the right thing. Witness their deafening silence during the worst of the Super Dome crime.

Democrats wait until it's safe, Republicans instinctively know that if it helps the poor there is no reason at all to help, that's what Jesus would do.

[Joe Chi Minh]

33. Like it, spotbird! You have a wicked tongue!