Lawmakers say FEMA too slow to set up mobile homes

“These are not easy units to install,” FEMA regional director Gerard Stolar said of the manufactured housing units that have replaced the travel trailers.

Stolar didn’t offer a timeline for when more mobile homes might be installed in homeowners’ yards, but said several storm victims have been approved for the units. He said after site inspection and approval for a unit, installation of a mobile home can take up to a week, requiring utility hookups and extensive setup.

After hearing the preparation and site work required, Rep. Rodney Lyons, D-Harvey, replied: “This is almost like home construction.”

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration hopes more people will take advantage of a separate “shelter at home” program that provides grants of up to $15,000 so people can make modest, quick repairs that allow them to live in their houses as they do the larger reconstruction work. Thousands have applied for the program so far.

State officials said they expect to have crews working on “shelter at home” repairs as early as Friday.

Rep. Cedric Glover, D-Shreveport, suggested FEMA might want to revisit its decision to scrap the Katrina-era travel trailer since the larger mobile homes take so long to install.

Also Wednesday, FEMA issued a news release urging recipients of various forms of government disaster aid to make sure they use the money properly. The agency said more than $202 million in individual assistance aid is already in the hands of flood victims.

Purposes for the grants and loans vary but may include emergency housing repairs, temporary housing or other disaster-related expenses.

“A letter explaining a payment’s purpose will arrive within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment,” FEMA’s release said. “If survivors use payments on anything other than their intended purpose, they may have to repay those funds – and might not be able to receive future disaster assistance.

Government agencies aren’t the only ones offering help to flood victims.

The New Orleans Opera Association and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra are giving a concert next Thursday evening to benefit south Louisiana public schools, arts organizations and artists affected by the floods.

Among the charitable efforts planned are a Sept. 8 concert by the New Orleans Opera Association and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to benefit public schools and arts organizations hit by the floods.

Also, The Advocate of Baton Rouge reports (http://bit.ly/2bRwGLk) that he charitable Baton Rouge Area Foundation, has distributed more than $1.6 million so far to local nonprofits helping people affected by the floods.

Melinda Deslatte, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Lawmakers say FEMA too slow to set up mobile homes

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