FEMA trailers are temporary housing provided by the US government for people displaced by natural disasters. They are fully furnished and equipped with utilities, but residents are responsible for minor details. The trailers have been criticized for health issues caused by formaldehyde.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailer is a type of housing issued by the United States government. Commonly referred to as a FEMA trailer, the design is meant to be temporary. They are generally used to house people displaced by natural disasters when there is no other solution for the residents of the affected region. These trailers have distinguished themselves following FEMA’s emergency response to Hurricane Katrina, hosting refugees from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast community.
A FEMA trailer is basically designed to allow residents of an affected area to have a place to live while repairing their normal housing. Often, in the event of hurricanes or floods, traditional homes are heavily damaged. Residents need time to gut and repair their homes, especially when many of the contractors in the area have been displaced. While this process is underway, FEMA is providing emergency housing.
FEMA trailers are fully loaded with furnishings for use by the occupants. The design centers around a large single room that serves as a living area. It has a kitchen with hob, fridge and microwave, as well as a bathroom and a double bedroom. Hot and cold running water is provided, as is air conditioning and heating. FEMA trailers are mass-produced, so the layout and furnishings are nearly identical in each model.
The FEMA trailer is powered by electric and propane. They are also equipped with access to telephone, cable and Internet services. While FEMA provides the trailer, residents are responsible for water supply, electric service, and other utilities through private companies. All minor details become the resident’s responsibility, including changing light bulbs and refilling propane tanks. To ensure that the trailers are kept in good condition, they are inspected every month by the authorities.
Since 1906, the federal government has managed temporary housing for residents affected by natural disasters. The San Francisco earthquake that same year required the creation of shacks to serve as temporary housing. The implementation of FEMA towing in the modern sense was first seen after the damage of Hurricane Andrew to South Florida in August 1992. Widespread use of the concept, however, came after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf Coast in 2005.
A number of health problems have been identified in various FEMA trailers, particularly due to high levels of formaldehyde. Apparently, the material is used during the construction process and can leave residue on furnishings. This can cause breathing problems, eye irritation, nosebleeds, and general illness in those exposed to formaldehyde. In the late 2000s, this became both a legal and a political issue, impacting the FEMA organization.
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