Back Bay Blog: Justice for Katrina Victims

2009-07-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Kathryn (Biloxi Class of 2008)

Report slams FEMA on health hazard in emergency housing

Story Highlights
Federal inspector general: FEMA slow address signs of formaldehyde problems
Report paints an agency more concerned about public image than public safety
Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling gas that is believed to cause cancer
Government workers warned to limit time in trailers; hurricane victims not warned

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/23/fema.report/index.html

Hurricane Gustav

2008-08-31T07:19:00.001-07:00

I'm wondering how FEMA is handling the trailer parks in light of the hurricane. I was only able to find one article in this regard; apparently, FEMA started a "knock mission." They started knocking on FEMA trailer park doors with the purpose of notifying the residents about the storm and sending them to another location today. As of August 29, 2008, FEMA had notified "thirty" residents, but still had "thousands" more to go.

To read the article, click here.

Ariel

Police kill man in standoff over FEMA trailer

2008-06-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/04/fema.standoff.ap/index.html

From Angus

2008-06-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

A few days before the trip many of us had just finished up our last exam and were experiencing the typical finals fatigue. By choice we stayed at the library for too long and ingested inhuman amounts of caffeine. For law students those two weeks are the most difficult weeks of the year.

One of the reasons I volunteered to come on this trip was to gain a new perspective on my life. Selfishly I wanted the people - who have already experienced tremendous atrocities - to teach me something. I hoped that our work would be helpful and I knew that I would see some people in dismal living conditions.

For three days we visited some of the finest FEMA trailer parks and I learned more in 72 hours about life then I did in my first two semesters of law school. It is a humbling (an appropriate word used by another volunteer) experience to hear stories from the people who lost their homes and almost all of their possessions in the worst national disaster in American history.

Each person’s and each family’s experiences are so unique yet so similar. One man has to care for his ten month old twins in a trailer smaller than my bedroom without their mother who passed away during child birth. He cannot find work because he has no way to find a babysitter.

Another family was being forced out of their trailer the day we visited. The mother and the two children have developed chronic health problems from their trailers and were moving for the third time since Katrina – this time to a hotel so the fourth move is only weeks away.

I spoke with two families who were moving in with a spouse’s parents. One of the families was moving to Illinois in hopes of some stability. The wife told me that the kids get along with their grandparents so it could be a get thing. The constant moving takes it toll on the children who often have to switch schools once they move. A little extra marginalization for the youth we should be most worried about.

The people we visited were white and black, young and old. Some were more willing to share their experiences than others. Despite the superficial differences there was one common thread. Everyone was boxed in literally and metaphorically.

They were all at the mercy of the fickle people at FEMA who decided when they had to move. Worse some were put into places so small that there was no way they could keep all of what little possessions they had left. For many people (including me) this type of suffocation would cause them to lose hope and some people in the trailers had become cynical.

Our own government has been shuffling them in and out of trailers with disrespect and disregard for their dignity. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) FEMA has engaged in an oral misinformation campaign to get people out of their trailers quicker. The people at FEMA inform them that they have to leave by a certain date but usually do not say why or put it in writing. Part of our job was to let people know that FEMA had to help them until March 1, 2009 because FEMA conveniently forgot to tell them.

After jumping over too many hurdles already, they are faced with the gigantic hurdle of getting information from the federal government. I hoped that our Nation’s goal was to help people as quickly as possible and not shift them around.

The trip has made me realize when grades come in two weeks I cannot get too happy or too sad. If I do not make Journal or Law Review it is not the end of the world. No matter what happens I have it pretty good and will now appreciate everything more.

Angus Crawford

The Story of Ms. C

2008-05-19T21:36:00.000-07:00

Before she leaves for her vocational training classes in the morning, Ms. C has to drop off her three year old daughter at daycare and then take her five year old son to kindergarten. Because her classes finish late, Ms. C's sister picks up the children for her and watches them until Ms. C comes home. She says that the only reason she's able to participate in the program is because she has someone who can help her with her responsibilities. Those who aren't as blessed to have supportive family or friends have to forgo such opportunities so they can tend to their immediate needs.

Ms. C is a determined and ambitious woman. She has lost her home and belongings to Katrina, but she continues to persevere. She is participating in a vocational program to be trained as an electrician so she can eventually afford an apartment for her and her children. Her hopes of escaping the FEMA trailer park are fueled by her health problems, her children's health problems, the crime and danger to which they are exposed, and a general desperation for maintaining her dignity as an autonomous woman and mother.

But this isn't so easy. She has gone through ten case workers in the last two years and they have all been unresponsive to most of her complaints and questions. But what frustrates her most is her own lack of information. Ms. C has heard rumors that FEMA will be shutting down her trailer park in a month but she doesn't know if this is true and where she'll go if this occurs. She's read that her headaches and her children's nose bleeds, coughing, and asthma are all caused by the formaldehyde in the trailer walls but she doesn't know if FEMA will be held accountable for this. She sees lawyers going around the park talking about filing a class action suit against FEMA, but she doesn't know what this means and if it will help her. She saw her neighbor's trailer being hauled away the other day and she doesn't know if her trailer is next in line for eviction.

Somehow, she hasn't let this frustration make her feel powerless. She calmly lists the things she needs from FEMA. She says she needs help with the medical bills. And she needs FEMA to respond to her concerns about repairs to the trailer and about assistance with relocating. But what Ms. C needs most of all, is for FEMA to know that she is more than Lot Number 25; she is a person who has a name and a heart- a heart that aches at the sight of her child's blood and at the sound of her child's wheezing.

Ms. C gets up early every morning and conquers her fears of being trapped and powerless. She is a woman of great dignity who finds strength in working hard and hope in planning for her children's future.

Ambreen Tariq

Working at the FEMA trailer parks

2008-05-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

A-1 Trade trailer park

Some of the trailers at A-1 Trade were FEMA and some were privately owned.

You could tell which ones were FEMA trailers by the double metal straps and gray concrete blocks underneath

One of the first days on the job

We handed out packets entitled "Your Risks, Your Rights" to those living in the FEMA trailer parks. They contained information about formaldehyde poisoning, trailer park closings, FEMA obligations, and housing resources.

Crystal, DJ, and Mike at A-1 trailer park

Christina at the helm of the "Holy Ghost"

Lunch at the Mockingbird Cafe

2008-05-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

Amazing lunch spot in Bay St. Louis

Kathryn's yummy sandwich

One of the many great employees at the Mockingbird Cafe

Bar and lounge area

DJ, Sandra, Angus, Moira, Eric, Christina and Mike

Shira's Post

2008-05-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I experienced a surge of frustration upon reading an article in the Washington Post which recounted the conditions under which many Hurricane Katrina survivors were being forced to reside. Specifically, it was the toxic levels of formaldehyde being emitted in temporary FEMA-trailer homes which stirred most of my frustration. My frustration was coupled with anger in that the article focused not on what was being done to mitigate the uninhabitable conditions but rather focused on those denying any fault in the resulting conditions. Surely, those who are at fault for the toxic conditions ought to be held responsible for their actions. However, my concern was with respect to what was being done to improve the situations, especially given the dangerous environment in which many Hurricane Katrina victims were being forced to reside.

It was this very frustration and concern which served as an impetus in my decision to travel to Biloxi, MS to assist those living in conditions of which I had only read. Nothing, not even the Washington Post article which described the extreme levels of potentially cancer-causing gas, prepared me for what I ultimately heard and saw on my visit.

The recurring trends that I have found to be the most disturbing are the severe health conditions brought on by the FEMA-trailers’ formaldehyde and the inadequate manner in which necessary information has been conveyed to those living in the FEMA trailers.

There was not one parent with whom I spoke that told me their child or children had not experienced symptoms indicative of prolonged formaldehyde inhalation. The first mother explained how her two-year-old son suffered from severe nose-bleeds, a runny nose, continuous colds and sinus infections, breathing problems and skin irritation, none of which her son had experienced prior to living in the FEMA-trailer. Another mother, discouraged with the health problems her baby suffered on a daily basis, showed my colleague and me a towel that she had just used to tend to her baby’s bloody nose. It was completely covered with blood. All of her other children, both of whom experienced irritated skin since living in the trailer, had also become asthmatic after living in the trailer. The third mother that I interviewed legitimately feared she and her family were being “poisoned” with every breath they took in the trailer. Her children had developed such severe asthma that they had to receive breathing treatment three times a day. Further, her sister was so sensitive to the air in the trailer that she could no longer visit without developing a severe reaction.

This information needs to be brought to the public’s attention, and together we must work to ensure that no one is forced to live in such a dangerous environment. This must be done now.

How can this be done? We must make sure that residents are receiving accurate information. We must make sure that residents know their rights. We must make sure that residents are not faced with 2 choices: being homeless or living in a toxic environment.

And then, we can determine those who ought to be held responsible for the physical illness caused by the situation.

Shira Lazinger

Columbus School of Law ‘09

Lunch at "Le Bakery"

2008-05-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

Mike getting a paper in front of "Le Bakery"

We had a slight difference of opinion during lunch. Vietnamese or McDonald’s. East coast or West coast. The rivalry never ends. You know me, I’m all about representing the east coast flava. My homies DJ, Angus, Mike, Kathryn, and Ariel decided to go to the Vietnamese bakery for lunch. It’s called “Le Bakery” and it is pretty spectacular. They have Vietnamese sandwiches for less than $4. I kid you not. They are 8” loaves of crusty French baguettes baked fresh, pickled daikon and carrots with your choice of filling. They also have yummy pastries, Vietnamese snacks and bubble tea.

We were all looking forward to lunch, but Mike was experiencing a level of excitement that I had not seen before. I would describe his enthusiasm as somewhere between “I found a dollar” and “Christmas morning.” That kid just cracks me up. Later, Angus said that Mike had been talking about eating Vietnamese since he decided to go to Biloxi. But whereas Mike managed to put away an 8” Vietnamese po’boy, Angus plowed through that and three pastries, so I think it’s safe to say that Angus was pretty excited about Vietnamese too.

As we were eating, I noticed a picture on the wall. It was of the bakery after Katrina. The outside was a different color, and there were plywood boards over the windows. The owners had spray-painted a message on the wood:

“We will rise again. Even bread kneads time”

Kathryn's Pictures

2008-05-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

Photo of an island filled with trees killed by Hurricane Katrina.

Group shot in front of Beau Rivage before dinner

DJ calling Katrina victims with information
Day at the office, compiling results
Christina and Kathryn at Crescent City Brew House in New Orleans

Ambreen's birthday dinner at Crescent City Brew House in New Orleans

Links

2008-05-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, there was an article in the SunHerald, indicating that FEMA trailer park residents would be moved out on June 1st. Check it out here.

Today, however, the SunHerald published an article indicating that the residents would NOT be moved out on June 1st. Check it out here.

- Ariel

Christina "Soccer Mom" Burfeindt

2008-05-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

Eyes in the back of her head

Our Fearless Leader

2008-05-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

Christina may just be one of the most maniacally organized people I have ever met

We were sitting in the office of the Mississippi Center for Justice after a long day traveling between FEMA trailer parks. Like everyone else in the group, I was waiting for Crystal to give us a debriefing when I noticed Christina giving my scarf the hairy eyeball. It’s one of those scrunched up scarves that looks like its falling apart and she was not happy with the fact that it was unevenly “scrunched.” She peers curiously at my scarf, blue eyes peeking through tortoise shell spectacles, her head cocked to the side. After a moment of silence, she finally says “I don’t get it” and starts to pick at scarf with her fingertips, pulling it here and there (keep in mind – its still on me). Eventually she decides that it’s just easier to just take the scarf completely off me (which she does) and she proceeds to go bat shit crazy on it. She starts pulling the thing like she’s in a taffy making contest. At one point, she enlists me to sit there and hold one end so that she could get up and start pulling at the other end. A few minutes later, she stopped and handed me my scarf. My fashionable scrunched up scarf was now completely straight. I thanked her and cautiously took my scarf back.

This is just one example of why I have come to admire Christina. She is a girl who knows how to get things done. She somehow manages to get all thirteen of us to do exactly what needs to get done in a sweet but really forceful voice. (I like to think of it as a seersucker glove over an iron fist.) I want to somehow communicate to all of you how bad it is down here, but I can’t. You have to see it for yourself. You have to see how shitty it is down here with your own eyes. It’s eerie….absolutely gut wrenching at times. They are dealing with a serious SNAFU here in Biloxi, and there is no way we can put a dent in the work that needs to be done here. Our time in Biloxi is very short. We need to be efficient. We need to make sure that we manage our time well. This is why we kind of need Christina here to crack the whip and keep us focused. If she can beat my scarf into submission, she can do the same to us. I don’t think we could have asked for a better leader.

Pam

Pictures - Ambreen

2008-05-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

In line for buffet at Beau Rivage

Red Stallion
Downtime at Five Star, a FEMA trailer park
Amazing lunch at the Mocking Bird Cafe in Bay St. Louis
Food Coma

Pictures - Ambreen

2008-05-16T09:47:00.001-07:00

Sandra and Shira
At the park with a FEMA
Riding in the back of the "Holy Ghost"

What Would You Do?

2008-05-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just imagine what you would do. The worst natural disaster hits the United States in 2005 and help is slow to come. You are lucky to come out with your life and then the real nightmare begins. The temporary housing solution that your state government elects is cheaply compiled trailers. At this point, you have been homeless, so you gratefully take the trailers while you wait for Mississippi to rebuild.

May 15, 2008, Mississippi is not rebuilt: there are not enough houses or apartments for the thousands still living in FEMA trailers. The homes and apartments that have been rebuilt are price gauging, so the apartment you used to rent for $400 a month is now $800 but your salary is still the same or worse –you don’t have a salary because you ascertained a disability when Katrina hit and you can no longer work. Still things could be worse you say—if you were homeless or did not rent or own a home in your name then you do not even qualify for FEMA assistance, at least you do.

July 2008, after three years of living in your cheaply built trailer, after having taken your kids to the hospital for respiratory infections, after symptoms that you thought were sinus or headaches problems, you learn that the trailers are emitting formaldehyde. Your home is toxic. All the hospital bills are piling up because you just spent $6,000 on hospital care for your son or daughter and you will not be reimbursed because any health related issues associated with the trailers are outside of FEMA’s and the government’s scope. The government directs you to sue in a class action lawsuit. In the meantime, FEMA wants you out of the trailers now that they realize the trailers are toxic.

You have two choices. Choice one, stay in your toxic home and risk yours and your families health. Choice two, the fourth time since Katrina, you are asked sometimes harassed to move out of your trailer and go live in a motel. Maybe you think motel/hotel living would not be that bad, but the motels are in bad shape, most are in bad neighborhoods, used by drug dealers, or don’t have a kitchen unit. Solved says FEMA—we will deliver you meals. Six am breakfast and six pm dinner, but if you miss the meal bus you do not eat. Never mind that you might be at work or just coming off the night shift and asleep.

These people just want a home—a permanent home where they do not have to report to their FEMA caseworker anymore, but there are so many obstacles. There is little or no affordable housing, no money to pay a deposit, first months rent, and utility deposits when you only make minimum wage, and FEMA is forcing people to move into living conditions that no person would chose to live under except that they have no choice.

Despite all these things that might make the ordinary person angry and bitter the people in the Gulf Port Region still have hope and hospitality. We went knocking on doors in an effort to ensure that FEMA’s estimate of people living in the trailers is accurate and to survey what options (very few, if none) people have, and to help those who are facing immediate eviction or are being told that FEMA can’t do anything else for them even though FEMA has an obligation to help them find housing or ways to afford housing until May 2009.

Despite the rather bleak outlook, despite the fact that I could do very little on an individual basis—unless they were facing immediate eviction—everyone one who let me in was happy to have someone to at least talk to for 15 minutes about their problems. I would all my interviews by saying that I was sorry that there was not much I could do, that I wished them the best of luck, and if they faced immediate eviction or harassment by FEMA then at least they have a number to call. Everyone I interviewed ended our interview by thanking me for caring, for trying to do something, for coming to Mississippi all the way from DC.

The people of Mississippi have shown me that even when life is at its worse the human heart remains humane and does not stop giving love and hospitality just because it has been wounded. The people here amaze me and I am grateful and honored to have met so many people who are so full of love and hope despite conditions that might break others. The people of Mississippi are not broken; the system that is supposed to help these people get back on their feet is broken.

Sandra Garcia
Columbus School of Law, '10
The Catholic University of America

"You're a blessing."

2008-05-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

So I guess I'm "in charge" down here. I was supposed to be splitting these duties with another LSS board member, Pat. Unfortunately, Pat came down with infectious mono so I am flying solo. It's a good thing I look so great driving a 15 passenger van.

I'm going to post twice. My first post is about what I have seen down here.

Its funny how things change, but things stay the same. When I was here last year, we surveyed residences to see if they were rebuilding and if they needed help accessing the government money to rebuild. We also worked to keep the FEMA trailer parks from closing because the land the trailer park was sitting on was obviously not zoned for a FEMA trailer park. Some of the legal issues the area was facing last year were claims against insurance companies and FEMA recouping funds that were distributed incorrectly. This year, there aren't any fewer issues, just different ones. Trailers have dangerously high levels of formaldehyde, FEMA trailer park residents have misinformation about the parks closing, and Landlords are rejecting applicants who are utilizing FEMA rental assistance.

On Wednesday I met with a man, we'll call him Rick. Rick is living in a trailer with his daughter and her two children. I got to meet one of the children, who we'll call Cassie. Cassie is 3 years old and she sat in my lap, while I spoke with her grandpa. Cassie explained to me that she liked to be called "Whisper" and she had a baby brother that came out of her mommy's tummy. Rick explained to me that he had a bad accident about 15 years ago where pilings fell on him and he had nerve related injuries. Recently, Rick went to run an errand and was found 8 days later in another state. Apparently, when he starts driving something is causing him to black out. Rick doesn't know why the trailer park is being shut down but he thinks he can only go to a hotel for one month. Rick has seen on the news that young children have been molested at a hotel and he refuses to take his grandchildren to that environment. Rick can't go look at rental properties because he can't drive. I explain to him what I know about the trailer parks closing, I offer to help him get a pro bono attorney, and I offer a number of someone who can drive him to look at rental properties. Rick tells me he spoke to his sister earlier that morning and she said she spent the whole night praying for him. He told me that I was the answer to the prayers and that I was a blessing. Cassie told me she loved me.

Rick and everyone here needs someone to advocate for them. They need someone to talk to them and explain their options. They need someone to protect them from a very contemplated system. As one of the other students on the trip said, if we only help one person on this whole trip, we have succeeded.

Christina Burfeindt

More Pictures - Ariel

2008-05-15T09:16:00.001-07:00

Sign outside a communal bathroom at a FEMA trailer park in Hancock County
Hancock County FEMA trailer park

Pam and Crystal (our MCJ attorney)

Five Star FEMA trailer park

Outside the Beau Rivage

God Bless

2008-05-15T09:09:00.001-07:00

Real truths can only be revealed through the real lives of real people. Yesterday I met Sherri, (we'll call her Sherri for the sake of protecting her privacy) an elderly mother who lives with her husband and daughter in modest trailer in southern Mississippi. Both Sherri and her husband are on disability, a real challenge to make ends meet when its become harder and harder to stretch only a few hundred dollars a week with no real additional income. On top of that, its almost impossible to transition out of the trailer into an apartment when starting rent now averages over $800 a month, reasonable for Washington D.C. but out of sight for Biloxi where working class income levels lag behind the staggering cost of living increases in the wake of Katrina.

Unbelievably, that's not the worst part. Since moving into her trailer about a year ago, Sherri's health has gone from mediocre to worse. Nosebleeds, coughing, and itchy skin are daily irritants to her family, but the worst has been the tumors near her husband's eyes, rendering one of them virtually useless. A possible cause, formaldehyde chemicals in the trailer's structure, has been a source of constant agitation since moving in. The choice is difficult: move out, and away from the chemicals, with nowhere to go, or stay and try to weather the hazards. I felt as if we, as a society, were backing our own people into a corner with nowhere to go.

In spite of this, her spirits have not been crushed. All she wants is some skin crème to alleviate her pain, and the help to get her family once and for all out of the trailer. "We going to get out of here," she said. All she wants is the chance to make her and her family's lives better, to pull them out of the FEMA system and all on their own. All she wants is a hand up, not a hand out.

I'm inspired by her continued faith in God that all will be well, no matter how high the artificial barriers that have been put in her way by bureaucrats and price gougers. As I left, thanked her for her hospitality and reminded her that we couldn't promise anything, but that we'd try to get her story out and see to it that she didn't fall between the cracks. She asked, "Are you mama and daddy still living?" When I replied that the were, she said, "God bless you, and God bless them. Tell them to keep on living." Yes indeed.

Eric Berkey
Columbus School of Law, '10
The Catholic University of America

"We survived katrina, but not FEMA" - sign

2008-05-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

This morning we followed the two representatives from FEMA to a trailer park in Hancock County that was about an hour away from where we are staying in Biloxi. Once we got there, we figured out that this particular trailer park had been pretty much abandoned. Moreover, we discovered that one of the FEMA reps was actually in charge of this park, and had been telling these residents that they needed to leave.

One issue that I wanted to touch upon here is that many of the FEMA trailers have had formaldehyde-related issues. Although small amounts of formaldehyde are often present in homes and buildings at safe levels, exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can be very dangerous to one’s health. Test results indicate that 95% of the FEMA trailers along the Gulf Coast have dangerously high levels of formaldehyde. Because these trailers were not intended for long-term use, it can be assumed that they were basically made on the cheap. Many of the residents in these trailers have had health problems due to exposure to these high levels of formaldehyde. Common symptoms include headaches, depression, insomnia, skin rashes, eye irritation, sinus problems, colds and nose-bleeds. Long-term exposure can affect one’s immune system and lead to the development of certain types of cancers.

Today I spoke with more people, and it was basically same song, second verse. All of them were aware that the trailer parks were closing but had no idea when the park would actually close. Some of them were told that they would be able to stay in a hotel for 30 days following the park’s closing, but most did not have any set plans for what they would do after their stay in the hotel. I met a woman who had relocated to low-income housing in Cleveland, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina. Because FEMA didn’t want to pay for her new housing in Cleveland, they called her every day and begged her to come to one of the FEMA trailer parks in this area. They promised her that she would have a home for life. She relocated back here, and three months after moving here, they informed her that the housing was only temporary. Now she does not know what she will do when the parks close. Because she has an interest in moving to be with her son 50 miles away, I advised her that she would probably qualify for FEMA relocation assistance.

On a personal level, today I was intimidated by a pit bull that was fortunately chained to a trailer. One couple got into a fairly heated domestic squabble in front of me and decided to appoint me as their mediator; fortunately, I was able to get out of that.

We’re about to head back to the hotel, and then to the Beau Rivage. I am determined to win back my ten dollars.

Ariel

P.S. Last night, my dad took me and Pam out to dinner, and we met President Carter! My very proud dad said, "President Carter, this is my daughter Ariel, and her friend Pam, and they are in law school."

Pictures - Ariel

2008-05-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

In front of our 15 passenger van which we dubbed the "Holy Ghost"

FEMA trailers at Fox's trailer park

"A rising tide lifts all boats - but only if you have a boat."

2008-05-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

“A rising tide lifts all boats…but only if you have a boat.”

We drove to one of the FEMA trailer parks yesterday. With FEMA’s permission, and under their supervision, we were able to interview some of the residents at Coliseum North FEMA trailer park. The purpose of the visit was to speak with them regarding FEMA’s decision to close the trailer parks, and to provide them with information regarding the options they have once they are forced out. In addition, we wanted to gather basic information about the residents with the purpose of figuring out where everyone stands with respect to their housing plans.

The Mississippi Center for Justice provided us with an orientation during which they informed us about the options that are available for those who are still living in FEMA trailer parks. For example, MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency) has provided cottages to some of the residents. These cottages are free of charge and can be put in any trailer park that will accept them. Local public housing authorities are also providing rental assistance to residents who are eligible to receive it. Lastly, relocation assistance is available for those who are planning to move 50 or more miles away from the area. Notably, however, FEMA has set March 2009 as the last possible date for any Katrina-related assistance.

Yesterday, I spoke with a family who informed me that this particular trailer park would be closing by June 15, 2008. They received notice in the form of a flyer about two or three weeks ago. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, this family was living in a mobile home that they owned, and they were renting the land where the home was located. After the storm hit, their home was so damaged that they had to move to a FEMA trailer park. At the time, they received about $2,700 for the damages their home sustained. However, this amount was not representative of all of the damages, because the FEMA inspector who came to evaluate the home refused to go inside because he was afraid of their toy poodle – so, the inspector was only able to evaluate the damages on the home’s exterior. Subsequently, FEMA asked the family to return the money did receive, claiming that the damages resulted from owner negligence rather than the storm. The family is still paying FEMA back for this money. This family’s plan is to repair their mobile home and move back into it. Although they would like to move out of Mississippi, currently they do not have the financial means to do so.

Interestingly enough, at a different trailer park today, I met a young woman who is the sister-in-law of the woman I met yesterday. Unlike the first family, the young woman today had not heard that her FEMA trailer park was closing. Moreover, she had not heard from FEMA in about two months. This young woman was hoping to move into an apartment and be eligible for assistance with her rental payments. This story serves as an example of how the FEMA trailer parks are being handled in different ways, and how the flow of information to these residents has been anything but consistent.

Today, the group and I hit a total of four FEMA trailer parks, and tomorrow we will be visiting more trailer parks in the area. Pam will be posting an update soon.

Ariel

P.S. I lost ten bucks playing blackjack last night.

Pro Bono Trip Participants

2008-05-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Moira Bergin
Eric Berkey
Christina Burfeindt
Michael Celli
Angus Crawford
Sandra Garcia
Kathryn Griffis
Pamela Guzman del Real
Catherine Jones
David Kapson
Shira Lazinger
Michele Langevine Leiby
Ariel Pizzitola
Ambreen Tariq