[StBernard] St. Bernard Trailer Residents Want More Time

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Trailer Residents Want More Time
Council Passes Emergency Measures

POSTED: 11:22 am CDT August 23, 2007
UPDATED: 11:39 am CDT August 23, 2007


CHALMETTE, La. -- The St. Bernard Parish Council has approved three
emergency measures aimed at giving FEMA trailer group site residents some
relief.

The council approved ordinances calling for FEMA to allow residents to move
their trailers to other locations; for FEMA to re-establish a Chalmette site
as the "consolidated" site for trailer residents who cannot find alternate
housing; and, finally, for the federal agency to allow residents to buy
their trailers.

The flurry of ordinances, each approved 6-0, came during a drawn-out, often
confusing discussion. The council's ordinances likely will face an uphill
battle with FEMA.

Andrew Thomas, an agency spokesman, said FEMA has suspended its trailer
sales program while awaiting the results of testing to determine levels of
formaldehyde in the trailers.

Thomas said the agency also is not transferring trailers to private sites.
And, finally, he said a consolidated site would be considered only as a last
resort.

The residents complained that FEMA hasn't been responsive to them, that they
need more time to get their lives together post-Hurricane Katrina, and that
they cannot afford the rents demanded by the private rental market in St.
Bernard Parish.

The council has approved a plan in which the first five group sites will be
closed Aug. 3, with five more phased out by Jan. 31.