FEMA Offers States Extension Option for Katrina/Rita Direct Housing Assistance Program

FEMA temporary housing trailer community. Photo courtesy of OhMyGov.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s temporary housing program for families and individuals affected by the Katrina and Rita disasters may be extended until May 1, 2009 at the request of affected individual states to the agency. Otherwise, the program is scheduled to end on March 1, 2009.

At the time of this posting, only Louisiana and Mississippi have requested the extensions. Each state has until the March 1, 2009 deadline to request an extension, otherwise that will be the date on which the program is terminated for that state, according to Ashley Small, public affairs specialist for FEMA.

Families and individuals that are still residing in the temporary housing “will be receiving letters, if they have not already received them, notifying them of the extension,” said Ms. Small.

In states that fail to request an extension, “FEMA will then hand deliver termination notices to all households in temporary housing by March 31, 2009,” added Ms. Small, further stating that until then, “FEMA will continue to work with families and individuals to identify long-term housing solutions to assist with the transition from temporary housing.”

Families and individuals currently residing under the program in mobile homes and park models will also have the option to purchase their current residence under FEMA’s Temporary Housing Units Sale-to-Occupants program. According to the agency, the conditions for any sale include the following:

• All units are sold “as is” with no implied warranties of any kind.
• Applicants must purchase the unit in which they currently live. No substitutions or exchanges of units are permitted.
• By purchasing the unit, the applicant accepts all responsibility and liability for the unit.
• The purchasing applicant is solely responsible for any applicable sales taxes, permits, or inspection costs associated with the sale.
• The applicant must provide proof of hazard insurance for the unit.
• The purchasing applicant must agree to comply with the local floodplain management codes, including purchasing flood insurance if the unit is or will be located in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area.
• The unit must test within the state-set formaldehyde threshold.