DES MOINES, IA – June 12, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The number of Iowa households staying in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) temporary housing units has dropped below 300 according to FEMA officials.
That’s down from 564 in October 2008 when housing need was at a peak after tornadoes and flood waters devastated much of the state.
FEMA officials say the reduction of nearly 300 Iowa households living in FEMA-provided temporary housing units from just eight months ago is a further sign of Iowa’s ongoing recovery efforts.
“FEMA’s temporary housing program is designed to bring in mobile homes when rental resources are not available,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Parker. “As damaged homes are repaired and rental resources become available, this allows individuals and families to move out of the temporary housing units and continue their recovery process.”
Currently, 288 households are living in FEMA’s temporary housing units. Of those, 72 have expressed interest in purchasing the units they are currently living in under FEMA’s voluntary Sales to Occupant program. Eligible occupants were sent informational material concerning the program in early May.
Those households that did not express an interest in purchasing the units may continue to live in the units as long as they are eligible up to Nov. 27, 2009 when the temporary housing program ends. Those households will be recertified each month to determine their eligibility to reside in the unit.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
