JOPLIN, MO.--- For Human Services Campus Director, Kelee Shepherd, the view from her office window changes everyday. The lot that used to house 586 FEMA temporary housing units is nearly bare.
"We have seen tremendous progress, especially since the original end of the period of assistance. Right now, I am down to 38 occupied units throughout the entire program," states Kellee Shepherd, HSC Director.
Fewer residents means a lot less activity in the on-site resource office.
"Obviously, the trailer population is going down and we are seeing less foot traffic. It's getting a bit harder to get people to come in to use our services," states Will Fiorini, Fema Direct Housing Supervisor.
The last group of people who have remained in government housing now for 21 months after the storm, don't have much longer to get situated.
"The original program ended on November 9th. The city requested an extension through the State of Missouri, which FEMA granted, which takes the new deadline to June 9th," says Fiorini.
Human service campus leaders and FEMA officials are working diligently to make sure everyone finds a more permanent housing solution by this date.
"We're reaching out to other agencies a little bit more, we're sending out fliers. Instead of just giving them a flier and saying we have a class, we are getting their phone number and maybe encouraging them. Calling them to say, hey you signed up for this class," says Shepherd.
FEMA officials say once all the families move out, their work in Joplin won't be finished. They will start to downsize their staff, but remain in the community to close contracts at the parks and restore the land so it can be turned back over to the city.
"We have seen tremendous progress, especially since the original end of the period of assistance. Right now, I am down to 38 occupied units throughout the entire program," states Kellee Shepherd, HSC Director.
Fewer residents means a lot less activity in the on-site resource office.
"Obviously, the trailer population is going down and we are seeing less foot traffic. It's getting a bit harder to get people to come in to use our services," states Will Fiorini, Fema Direct Housing Supervisor.
The last group of people who have remained in government housing now for 21 months after the storm, don't have much longer to get situated.
"The original program ended on November 9th. The city requested an extension through the State of Missouri, which FEMA granted, which takes the new deadline to June 9th," says Fiorini.
Human service campus leaders and FEMA officials are working diligently to make sure everyone finds a more permanent housing solution by this date.
"We're reaching out to other agencies a little bit more, we're sending out fliers. Instead of just giving them a flier and saying we have a class, we are getting their phone number and maybe encouraging them. Calling them to say, hey you signed up for this class," says Shepherd.
FEMA officials say once all the families move out, their work in Joplin won't be finished. They will start to downsize their staff, but remain in the community to close contracts at the parks and restore the land so it can be turned back over to the city.
