Travel trailers and manufactured housing are considered an alternate housing option when adequate resources are not available. It is always FEMA's priority to find alternate housing within the community first, whether an apartment, house or condominium. A good source to locate available temporary housing is the Disaster Housing Resources Web site at http://www.dhronline.org. People can search for housing by rental price range, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and by state. Travel trailers would be considered a last option as a permanent solution is always more favorable than the temporary solution of using travel trailers as housing.

Travel trailers are available in two ways to those who meet the program criteria:

• Residents may be placed in a travel trailer on what is called an emergency group site. This is property leased by FEMA.

• For those with private property that meets certain requirements, a travel trailer or mobile home may be placed on the property.

The process for being placed in one of the emergency group sites:

• Call FEMA's toll-free disaster assistance helpline at 800/621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800/462-7585 for people who are speech- or hearing-impaired and make your housing needs known. Evacuees who need an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant travel trailer can be accommodated and should be specific about their requirements. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

• A FEMA representative will call the applicant to arrange to fill out the appropriate paperwork and schedule the occupancy date.

The process for having a travel trailer or mobile home placed on private property:

• Call FEMA's toll-free disaster assistance helpline at 800/621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800/462-7585 for people who are speech- or hearing-impaired and make your housing needs known. Evacuees who need an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant travel trailer can be accommodated and should be specific about their requirements. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

• Utilities must be available at the site.

• A site inspector must look at the property to make sure it is appropriate for a travel trailer or mobile home.

• After the site is approved and permits are obtained, the travel trailer or mobile home will be delivered by a FEMA contractor.

• Once a travel trailer or mobile home is delivered, a FEMA contractor will set up the unit and schedule a time for the utility hook-up.

• When a contractor has completed the process of readying the travel trailer or mobile home for the applicant, a FEMA representative will complete the appropriate paperwork and schedule the occupancy date.

The process of applying for and occupying a travel trailer can be time consuming due to many variables. By following the outlined steps above, affected residents can better understand what must be accomplished before a travel trailer is ready for occupancy. [10/23]