Report: Exposure to weather wrecked FEMA housing units (negligence)

[NVMojo]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency left modular homes intended for Hurricane Katrina evacuees exposed to the elements while being stored in Arkansas, rendering up to $4 million worth of units uninhabitable, according to a recent audit report.

The report by the Homeland Security Department's inspector general called on FEMA to create inventories of units and formally acknowledge how many are beyond repair. Inspectors also recommended that the agency develop cost-effective plans for storing and using remaining modular homes and provide better weather protection.


The report -- delivered to FEMA on Oct. 18 but not released publicly until Wednesday -- said the agency should establish policies that clarify what situations necessitate the purchase of modular home units and ensure they are properly packaged and stored.
Link: http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-03_Oct06.pdf


The modular homes "weren't designed for long-term storage" in Texarkana, Ark., said Debbie Wing, a FEMA spokeswoman. "The elements are going to cause them to deteriorate."


Wing said that many of the units -- of which the department purchased nearly 1,800 -- were left outside unprotected, or covered only by a tarp. She emphasized the difference between the modular units and other forms of temporary housing, like travel trailers and mobile homes. Altogether, she said, the agency bought about 145,000 temporary homes to assist Katrina evacuees since the hurricane.

more...

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1106/111006j1.htm

[roseBudd]

1. Does the incompetence never cease? n/t

[robinlynne]

2. I think it is more greed, theft, and corruption than incompetence. And should be

treated as such.

[Warpy]

4. It's not incompetence

Housing the peasants is a very, very low priority for the GOP ruling class, as is making sure they're rescued from floods, fed, and given appropriate health care.

Get used to it, we are invisible to them, just a faceless mass of "useless eaters," as they love to put it. Never mind that every facet of their worthless lives depends on our work. They despise us and resent every dime that goes to us.

They'd rather let food and housing rot than give it to the hungry and homeless.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. FEMA needs to be made separate again from HS

Hope this gets addressed once Dems move to House and Senate in January.

It's not just about the total Katrina fuckover by FEMA, but about the corruption by HS with FEMA buried and short-funded in its bureaucracy.

[NVMojo]

5. Let me tell you that all of these efforts of FEMA and HS need to be

audited and investigated nationwide. I'm sure we'll be shocked by the further findings.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Agreed, NVMojo

Completely agree