FLORIDA DISASTER HOUSING STRATEGY

MODULE 4: IDENTIFYING INTERIM HOUSING STRATEGIES

Detail Federal Disaster Housing Assistance ProgramsIdentity various interim housing strategies available to local communitiesExplain wrap around services supporting the Disaster Housing StrategyDetail components of an exit strategy

Module Objectives

Disaster Housing PhasesEmergency Shelter

Transitional Housing

Community Centers Convention Centers

Interim Housing

Travel TrailersMobile HomesGroup SitesBig Box

(30 days – 18 months)

Permanent Housing

HUD HousingPost Disaster Redevelopment Plans

Immediate Temporary RepairsRepair and Replacement AssistanceFinancial Rental AssistanceTransitional SheltersManufactured Housing Assistance

Federal Disaster Housing Assistance Programs

Provide safe and secure housing for individuals and families Provide privacy for families Physical accessibilityProvide sanitation and essential utilitiesProvide access to community services and life supporting suppliesLocate in close proximity to home, school, and work environmentsLimited timeframe up to 18 months

Interim Housing Solutions

Discussion Question: Interim Housing OptionsIdentify potential interim disaster housing resources available in your community. List the advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these resources.

Group DiscussionSchoolsConvention CentersCommunity CentersHotel/MotelRental PropertiesSeasonal PropertiesPrivate LotsCommercial Property

WarehousesFloating Options / Cruise ShipsForeclosed PropertiesColleges/UniversitiesMilitary/Government Lots and FacilitiesChurches

Public Schools

Pros

• Easy accessibility• Secure locations• Accessible kitchens &

sanitation • High construction

standards• Public ownership

Cons

• Conflicting Use Priorities

• Time constraints• No privacy for family

unit• Limited space• No pet accomodations

Pros

• Very large capacity• Urban location• Controlled access /

security• Limited Sanitation and

food provisions• Transitional Locations

Cons

• No privacy for family unit

• Conflicting Use

Convention Center / Stadiums / Community Centers

Pros

• Numerous locations• Varying capacities• Immediate services• Food and sanitation• Handicap accessible• Access to community

services• Capacity monitoring• Access to major

transportation

Cons

• Expensive• Conflicting Responder

Use• Stifle Tourism• Hazard Vulnerable sites• Private Ownership

Hotels / Motels

Discussion Question: Priority Hotel UsageWho should have priority use of hotels and motels in the impacted area: the displaced survivors or the response and recovery workers?

What role could/should the public sector serve in mediating this conflict of use?

Rental Properties

Pros

• Immediate placement options for vacant units

• Safe & Secure• Amenities and

sanitation• Vicinity to services,

stores, schools• Infrastructure suitable

Cons

• Lease restrictions for pets, age, and children

• Varied handicap accessibility

• High rent districts• Private ownership

Seasonal Properties

Pros

• Immediate placement options for vacant units particularly during summer

• Safe & Secure• Amenities and

Sanitation• Vicinity to services,

stores, schools• Infrastructure suitable

Cons

• Occupancy restrictions for time, pets, age, and children

• Varied handicap accessibility

• High cost units• Private Ownership

Mobile Housing Unit on Private Lot

Pros

• Location close to school, work, and home reconstruction

• Accessible kitchens & sanitation

• Available utility capacity• Expedite reconstruction

on home• No cost for property

lease

Cons

• Regulatory obstacles• Required infrastructure

and access• Security concerns• Association prohibition

Military / Government Facilities

Pros

• Secure locations• Basic accommodations • Public ownership• Infrastructure available• Public services

available

Cons

• Conflicting use• Limited accessibility• Security concerns• Intimidating to

displaced survivors

Colleges & Universities

Pros

• Large, secure locations• Private dorm rooms • Public ownership• Infrastructure available• Public services

available• Food and sanitation• Accessible

Cons

• Conflicting use• Institutional resistance• Restrictions on pets

Commercial Properties

Pros

• Warehouses for big box housing

• Private property to house employees

• Accessibility to commercial district

Cons

• Land use and zoning restrictions

• Hazardous conditions• Utilities construction• Privacy concerns

Existing Mobile Home Parks

Pros

• Existing infrastructure• Existing utility hook-

ups• Transportation access

Cons

• Limited vacancy rates• Limited ability to

expand size• Susceptible to

hazardous environmental conditions

Planned Unit Development (PUD)

Pros

• Existing residential approval

• Existing infrastructure and utilities

• Federal funding of future infrastructure.

Cons

• Delay permanent construction

• Private ownership• Community resistance

Foreclosed Property / Vacant Property

Pros

• Vacant properties• Existing structures• Existing infrastructure

and utilities• Immediately available• Community services

available

Cons

• Legal obstacles involving ownership and insurance

• Uncertain lease management

• Institutional resistance

Floating Options / Cruise Ships

Pros

• Immediate occupancy• No land use conflict• Manage large mass of

people• All services available

food, sanitation

Cons

• Require deep port access

• Permanent occupancy of port terminal / dock

• Affect tourism industry• Private ownership

New Group Sites

Pros

• Less limitations on time, space, pets, age

• May provide handicap accessibility

• Large capacity facility

Cons

• High cost new construction

• Construction time delays

• Community resistance and political conflict

• Residents displaced from home, work, etc

• Difficult to enforce exit strategy

Group Site Selection CriteriaProperty OwnershipCurrent UseLocationTraffic ImpactsUtilities

Public SafetyEnvironmental ImpactsCommunity Services

Wrap Around ServicesPublic transportation assistanceOfficial document replacementJob counselingMental health servicesMail servicesHealth and medical servicesChildcare StorageLaw EnforcementTrash collection, others

Protected AreasHistorical Site PreservationFlood ZonesHazardous Materials

Environmental and Safety Concerns

Develop timeframe to transition survivors back to permanent housingFederal Assistance provides structured timeframes (Up to 18 months)Discourage attitudes of permanencyAvoid shifting settlement patternCreate a linkage to the Long-term Recovery Organization / Unmet Needs Committee

Exit Strategy

Employment and maintain a consistent incomeAffordable permanent housingSocial services such transportation, medical care and schools;Finance home repairs, locate necessary supplies and construction personnelRestore vital infrastructure

Developing an Exit Strategy

Module SummaryAt the end of this module students should be able to: Evaluate locally available various interim

housing strategies Understand disaster housing assistance

programs Evaluate environmental and safety

concerns for group sites Components of an exit strategy