Post by Logan on Dec 13, 2016 3:47:53 GMT -6
FEMA mobile homes' 6-figure price tags are outrageous, officials say
For the amount of money FEMA is spending on temporary mobile homes for flood victims, the federal agency could buy displaced residents modest houses in some parts of Baton Rouge.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is spending an estimated $129,200 for the purchase, transport and installation of each "manufactured housing unit" placed on the private property of a flood victim, according to a document provided to a Louisiana congressman. If the unit is placed in an already existing commercial park for mobile homes and travel trailers, then the cost increases to $149,000, because of the extra expense to lease the site pad. And if the mobile homes are placed in FEMA designated group sites, then the price can rise as high as $170,000.
Officials say the cost is infuriating. They note it's more than double the market rate and argue a more cost-effective program could potentially yield the faster delivery of the mobile homes, which are in high demand and short supply four months after the flood. Some families that have been approved for the trailers might have to wait another month and a half to get into a unit, which are homes that range from one to three bedrooms and can be as big as 980 square feet.
"It's idiotic. It's the fleecing of America, example No. 10,000," said U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, a Baton Rouge Republican. "You're spending more money, and it's taking longer. You're saying, 'We may be slow, but at least we're more expensive.'"
Read more: www.theadvocate.com/louisiana_flood_2016/article_533d1b20-bd98-11e6-affd-338dd8bab188.html
For the amount of money FEMA is spending on temporary mobile homes for flood victims, the federal agency could buy displaced residents modest houses in some parts of Baton Rouge.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is spending an estimated $129,200 for the purchase, transport and installation of each "manufactured housing unit" placed on the private property of a flood victim, according to a document provided to a Louisiana congressman. If the unit is placed in an already existing commercial park for mobile homes and travel trailers, then the cost increases to $149,000, because of the extra expense to lease the site pad. And if the mobile homes are placed in FEMA designated group sites, then the price can rise as high as $170,000.
Officials say the cost is infuriating. They note it's more than double the market rate and argue a more cost-effective program could potentially yield the faster delivery of the mobile homes, which are in high demand and short supply four months after the flood. Some families that have been approved for the trailers might have to wait another month and a half to get into a unit, which are homes that range from one to three bedrooms and can be as big as 980 square feet.
"It's idiotic. It's the fleecing of America, example No. 10,000," said U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, a Baton Rouge Republican. "You're spending more money, and it's taking longer. You're saying, 'We may be slow, but at least we're more expensive.'"
Read more: www.theadvocate.com/louisiana_flood_2016/article_533d1b20-bd98-11e6-affd-338dd8bab188.html