american housing chapter 34

Huff Post has an article on a mayor in a town in Alabama who is denying FEMA trailers to people who lost their homes to recent tornadoes. I'd like to hope that the city council, or zoning board of appeals, or whatever appropriate authority in that democratically elected (presumably) government makes an exception to their ordinances so that people who lost their homes can get a roof over their head. Maybe this negative press will sway their decision. But, I shouldn't underestimate the callousness or stupidity of people in power.

The greater danger of FEMA trailers lies in their inappropriate construction, especially in hot/humid climates in the deep south--which may or may not have been corrected. Many of the FEMA trailers shipped to New Orleans following Katrina had vinyl wall coverings that resulted in condensation, mold growth and indoor air quality problems.

Trailers are not a permanent solution to housing, but for some people and for some occasions, they are a lot better than nothing. And more importantly, there are no permanent solutions to housing, anywhere.