[StBernard] trailer give away

[Westley Annis]

Good point; from what I hear trailers are starting to fall apart after a
year, especially with multiple people living there; also, bringing back is
fine if they have jobs to go to; otherwise their opportunities are probably
better anywhere else right now, and if not, they will most likely be in the
despair with the homeless masses here; doesn't make much sense.  MsSimms


> -----------------------------------------------------

> WWL tv did a story tonight about FEMA possibly giving away to non-profit

> groups used

> FEMA trailers. The story was about a Plaquemines Parish church seeking

> approval from

> Plaquemines Parish for a site and the pastor had 1,700 applicants lined up

> should it go

> thorough.

>  

> Having lived in a FEMA trailer for 6 months, I feel qualified to make

these

> statements.

> These are not well built, long lasting, mobile homes. As clean and well

kept

> as we

> maintained our trailer, the cabinet doors would often have the screws just

> fall out

> the hinges, while others we know had problems with leaks from rain, and

> others

> with plumbing. 

>  

> No one should be given such a trailer as a permanent home. They are

putting

> these

> people at great risk. What happens when these trailers just fall apart in

a

> few years and

> thousands are left homeless (after LRA, FEMA, SBA closes up shop years

after

> Katrina). 

>  

> If they weren't suitable for a permanent residence due to public safety

and

> health before Katrina,

> why now?  It's a bad temporary, rash fix that will only prolong these

> people's misfortune and 

> distract them and government from a permanent, sustainable solution. Of

> course for FEMA it's

> a great public relations opportunity to DONATE TO CHARITY and get rid of

> these substandard trailers

> fast. It's one step up from living in a car.

>  

> I hope SBPGovt. doesn't ever consider allowing a permanent village of

these

> tin cans on wheels.

>  

> The pastor seemed focused on bringing people back home to Plaquemines. To

> me, people are far

> better off in a real dwelling no matter where they have to go to live in

> one, than put into a FEMA trailer just

> because it's in the parish where they lived before Aug 2005. ddk