FEMA trailer rent for Hurricane Ida survivors set to increase by hundreds in June
A statewide appeal that reduced rent for thousands of survivors of Hurricane Ida ends in June.
Families living in FEMA trailers have been paying $50 rent per-month since March 1, based on an appeal by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. That ends June 1, reverting the rent prices to those determined by Housing and Urban Development's fair market rent valuations. Those living in trailers could still request a rent reduction, but instead of a blanket reduced rate, it will be based on an individual basis.
Families currently living in FEMA trailers across Louisiana is about 2600. Of those, 1,058 are located in Terrebonne, and 610 are in Lafourche. Beginning in June, those living in single-bedroom trailers will have to pay $780 per month. For a 2-bedroom the rent is $981, and a 3-bedroom is $1,428.
Letters have been sent to notify people of the changes along with forms to appeal the price change. According to a spokesperson for FEMA Region 6, caseworkers have been working with survivors on this process for about three weeks now.
"This process includes providing documentation of their post-disaster income that meets or is below the HUD Very Low-Income Limit and current housing costs to calculate their financial ability to pay rent," FEMA said in a news release announcing the change.
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security was contacted to see if the appeal would be renewed, and a spokesman said the department only appeals on behalf of the parishes. Neither Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson or Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove were immediately available for comment.
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FEMA's housing program is designed to run 18 months after a disaster and was set to end Feb. 28, 2022. FEMA earlier approved the state's request to extend the program for six months, until Aug. 29, 2023.
The rent program kicks in when the housing program extends beyond the initial 18-month time frame, but FEMA reduced the rent to $50 on a request by the state.
These changes do not affect the state-run Ida Sheltering program. The two programs are distinguishable by the dwellings they provide. The Ida Sheltering program provided survivors with campers, and the FEMA program provided trailers.
Those still living in campers provided by the program will be required to leave on May 1.
Hurricane Ida devastated Terrebonne, Lafourche and other areas in southeast Louisiana Aug. 29, 2021.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: FEMA trailer rent set to increase by hundreds in June
