Anxiety building as people continue to wait for the FEMA trailers

Reporter: Lauren Leslie Writer: Paul Dolan
Published:
Credit: WINK News.

People who are searching for a roof to put over their heads want to know where the trailers are that FEMA said they were providing.

Fear and frustration are how I would sum up what people are feeling. Time and money becoming people’s biggest concerns.

The idea behind the meeting was pretty straightforward, “Help is here”.

But people say getting help and answers are taking too long, and in some cases not happening at all.

In short, people are worried about their livelihoods. Their homes have been destroyed, cars are gone, and lives are uprooted.

People are saying they can’t get answers and that state and federal agencies are taking too long.

One man said he was approved for critical assistance, and got that money. But then FEMA contacted him and said, wait, if you cash the check you’ll have to pay it back.

Another big question for those who are displaced and can’t live in their homes anymore is, where do they go?

Jackie Keay is a community activist and she explained some of the issues.

“Where’s the housing? Where are the trailers? We don’t know ask FEMA. Well FEMA doesn’t know so who orders the trailers and why aren’t they here? Why weren’t they sent? Now if we can send linemen from all over this country to come here and to provide services why aren’t we sending the trailers ahead of time? This is inexcusable because there are people living in trailers who have lost their homes there are people living in mold-infested houses and yet everyone says I don’t know it’s ridiculous it’s ridiculous.”

Elizabeth Radi who represents the Collier County Tenants Union echoed those sentiments Wednesday night.

Basically saying if temporary housing doesn’t get in the area quickly, we’re going to lose more of our workforce. A workforce that’s already suffering in Collier County due to housing affordability.

Radi said, at this time victims of Ian have nowhere to go.

Another speaker was livid that all these officials keep telling people to apply online. She told WINK News these people have nothing, they lost everything, they have no way to apply online.

Community members putting fire under the feet of all the people who say, “They’re here to help”.

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