FEMA to use $400 million for hurricane-resistant housing

The New Orleans chapter of the American Institute of Architects is organizing a Housing Summit Sept. 29–30 to help educate homeowners on how to rebuild and restore their homes, and advise them on ways to wisely spend the monies they received from the Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program.

FEMA’s plan to create an alternative housing pilot program for the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast region is based on the requirements in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, which the AIA supported.

FEMA will use $400 million provided by the bill for projects that create transitional modular housing with improved hurricane resistance and can be constructed quickly for hurricane victims using prefabricated panelized walls. The initial concept – the Katrina cottage – is designed by architects to withstand 140-mph winds, resulting in a more comfortable and affordable alternative to a trailer.

“In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane devastation, the AIA warned of the problems associated with relying too heavily on temporary trailers to accommodate displaced residents,” said Tom Wolfe, AIA senior director of federal affairs, in a news release. “A rebuilding effort of this magnitude demands that careful attention is paid to sound, long-term planning and design elements that emphasize the highest building codes to protect against future natural disasters, not merely supplying the easiest shelter option available.”

Because temporary housing can end up lasting far longer than initially anticipated, community design elements must be used to guide the rebuilding efforts. Public safety issues should be carefully considered and addressed, along with issues such as access to public transportation, retail, recreation and worship facilities.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program features several highlights:

• It favors context-sensitive housing that reflects consideration of transportation access and civic amenities.

• It recognizes the need to consider energy efficiency and historic preservation.

• It acknowledges the need to take into account the unique hazards of coastal flooding, and wind, as well as conformity to the local building codes.

• It specifically calls for meeting the needs of persons with disabilities.

• It advocates for housing of a design and style that will have a positive social impact on the community and the evolution of community social structures.

FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Grants and Training will administer the program.

“We are encouraged that the federal government has supplied strong funding to support this undertaking and that FEMA is receptive to rebuilding concerns for the preservation of the historic architectural landscape, the need for environmentally conscious design principles, and for local professionals to be utilized to create sustainable communities that pay respect to the rich heritage of the Gulf Coast,” the AIA’s Wolfe said. [[In-content Ad]]