FEMA Temporary Housing Deadline Approaches
By: Alisha Culbertson
Updated: March 19, 2013
JOPLIN, MO.--- It has been almost 22 months since the May 2011 tornado. The Joplin City Council and FEMA have announced plans to close the FEMA housing units. $60,000 in community development block grants will pay for moving the 11 remaining units to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri.
"The proposal was made to dedicate some city funds to assist in that relocation," said Jonathan Raiche, Assistant City Planner, Joplin.
32 of the units are still occupied. 21 of these families have plans to move, leaving 11 families like Kern Woods still looking for permanent housing.
"I am thankful for everything they've done for me, I just wish that they would understand that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I'm doing everything I can," said Kern Woods, Resident.
Residents say they're working as fast as possible, but the June 7th deadline to move out is quickly approaching.
"They're wanting me out, like yesterday. They're pressuring me to get a job lined up and a home, but they are pressuring me," says Woods.
The Catholic Charity will help the remaining families locate to a different area and help them get back on their feet for the next year.
"For those that aren't able to do that, that's exactly what this would address. The need to relocate them to a more permanent site because the site by the airport was never intended to be permanent," says Raiche.
Charity representatives told me today that they'd like for everyone to be on their own in the next year, but they will work with them if they still need assistance. Employees say they hope their help will make the change easier for the residents.
"The proposal was made to dedicate some city funds to assist in that relocation," said Jonathan Raiche, Assistant City Planner, Joplin.
32 of the units are still occupied. 21 of these families have plans to move, leaving 11 families like Kern Woods still looking for permanent housing.
"I am thankful for everything they've done for me, I just wish that they would understand that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I'm doing everything I can," said Kern Woods, Resident.
Residents say they're working as fast as possible, but the June 7th deadline to move out is quickly approaching.
"They're wanting me out, like yesterday. They're pressuring me to get a job lined up and a home, but they are pressuring me," says Woods.
The Catholic Charity will help the remaining families locate to a different area and help them get back on their feet for the next year.
"For those that aren't able to do that, that's exactly what this would address. The need to relocate them to a more permanent site because the site by the airport was never intended to be permanent," says Raiche.
Charity representatives told me today that they'd like for everyone to be on their own in the next year, but they will work with them if they still need assistance. Employees say they hope their help will make the change easier for the residents.
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