WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE? IN THIS? OR IN THIS? (Katrina Cottage vs. FEMA trailer)

Times-Picayune ^ | March 18, 2006 | Greg Thomas

[Lorianne]

Jake Borrouso of Chalmette lost his home and mother to Hurricane Katrina. He now lives with his girlfriend in a 28-foot trailer in Picayune, Miss.

The quarters are tight, and Borrouso isn't looking forward to spending hurricane season in the trailer.

The trailer "rocks in the slightest wind now. This is ridiculous," Borrouso said.

So after touring one of the small hurricane-proof homes that some are touting as an alternative to trailers, Borrouso left with one question.

"Why not do this in the first place instead of the trailers?" he asked.

State and local officials are wondering the same thing.

The Louisiana Recovery Authority, St. Bernard Parish and the Mississippi governor's office are all lobbying FEMA to replace the temporary travel trailers it is using to house displaced storm victims with the "Katrina Cottage," a 400- to 750-square-foot prefabricated home that sleeps four, can be erected in days, and could eventually be expanded into a full-size permanent home.

The cost of the cottage, they argue, is hard to beat. FEMA is spending about $75,000 to deliver and install each of the 23- to 28-foot trailers for storm victims. A Katrina Cottage can be set up for less than $60,000, manufacturers say.

And with hurricane season fast approaching, many worry about the ability of FEMA trailers to weather storms. The Katrina Cottage, which under one model would be made of concrete and steel, would be a far safer structure.

"FEMA even wanted us to devise an evacuation strategy (for the upcoming hurricane season) that included evacuating the travel trailers," said an incredulous Walter Leger, who heads the LRA's housing committee and is a St. Bernard resident.

"All I can do is advocate it," Leger said of the Katrina Cottage.

[Lorianne]

If anyone has pics please post them. Thanks

[nmh]

You know ... the old saying comes to mind ... baggers can't be too choosy. I don't mean to sound calloused but if they are in a trailer it is because their old house was condemned. I'd say living in a trailer is better than being homeless. Of course there is the OBVIOUS option of taking matters in your own hands and moving to a safer area and chose what you can afford to live in. I have MAJOR issues when people totally depend on the government to make life better and then fault what is given to them on a TEMPORAY basis to live in.

[nmh]

The Katrina trailer can be reused for someone else should another catastrophe happen. The trailer isn't meant to be a PERMANTENT gift of a home. To ask for a PERMANENT home is a tad galling in my book. Will they EVER get enough at tax payer expense?

[operation clinton cleanup]

Katrina Cottage.

[CindyDawg]

If my house was blown away and someone offered me a 28 foot travel trailor for free. I would be grateful. I would camp out in it and then when I got my house re-built keep it for traveling. I lived in a mobile home in 82 . The roof was blown up during a hurricane and it flooded. We lived, with 3 kids in a hotel room at night and a pop up during the day while we repaired. No insurance. What's wrong with these people. Help yourself. FEMA wasn't designed to be a long time welfare.

[Lorianne]

LOL. Hey, that's a McMansion in Hong Kong.

[nmh]

"FEMA even wanted us to devise an evacuation strategy (for the upcoming hurricane season) that included evacuating the travel trailers," said an incredulous Walter Leger, who heads the LRA's housing committee and is a St. Bernard resident.

The NERVE of some! ;)

Actually asking those DIRECTLY involved to have an evacuation strategy for those living in trailers as well as permanent homes! A storm can effect anyone anywhere and I certainly don't understand WHY temporary trailers shouldn't be included in the overall evacuation strategy. For those living in trailers, unaffected this time, I'd expect some strategy to be in place for them too!

[operation clinton cleanup]

Actually, this is the real one... not much bigger.

[Tarpon]

Here you go, this one is mounted on a trailer to be towed around as a demo. The real one would be built on concrete pilings. Me, I would want a concrete house.

[razorback-bert]

$75,000 to deliver and install

Going to get me a tow truck!

[nmh]

I'm with you ... this is outrageous!

People really have to get over the government is Santa Claus mentality. Nothing like kicking a gift horse in the mouth - and that is exactly what they are doing. They should be grateful beyond words to have TEMPORARY housing till THEY get their act together and find another permanent home. I really don't understand these pocket pickers. You know darn well that what was destroyed was probably worse than the NEW trailer they are living in now - but no, they want a PERMANET home out of it.

I wish they'd just condem the areas typically affected by these storms and force people to get their acts together and move on. THIS is what America USED to be based on - you pick yourself up, and try again at your own expense.

[nmh]

Who wouldn't want the government to GIVE them for FREE a permanent house? That's NOT the business FEMA is in!

[CindyDawg]

My husband built one about that size for around 2000. He calls it a shed. I think we are getting ripped off again. You can get them a Home Depot for a little more and they will deliver I think for free.

[nmh]

Yup!

Another colossal ripe off using emotional - pity me silly to get it for people who refuse to be responsible for themselves. Liberalism is destroying our hard work ethic.

[madison10]

Hey, I want one! It looks sweet. I could use it as a place to get away to.

[JoeSixPack1]

This is disgusting.

These things are park model mobile homes, or what was called previously "Shotgun Shacks". They were disqualified by countless counties and municipalities since the late 70's as too small (under 650 sq ft) for single land use, but now the same municipalities are screaming for them.

PLUS:..... They go for less than $30,000.00 ANYWHERE. Where the hell do these freaks get off charging $60,000.00???? Oh, I forgot, it's the corruption capital of the USA. Silly me.

here's a quick link to just one manufacturer
http://www.charioteagle.com/

[Paige]

Yes, that isn't worth much more than 12,500 with appliances, wiring, plumbing, and furniture...heck throw in the groceries for a month too.


We are getting ripped off once again.

[CindyDawg]

If this guy had to sign a pay back loan, the travel trailer would probably be fine.

[kittymyrib]

400 sq. ft for $60,000? That's $150/sq. ft.! Oh, wait, the good old US taxpayer is paying for it so rip-offs are to be expected. Nothing is ever good enough for these professional hurricane victims.