Most Tennesseans displaced from their homes by recent tornadoes have found places to live and will not need manufactured homes as temporary residences as they recover, according to a study by a joint federal-state disaster housing task force.
"Sufficient rental properties are available to meet applicant needs in the counties designated for federal disaster assistance. All registered and eligible applicants are receiving rental assistance checks and rental resource information," said Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Bassham in statement released this morning.
The task force included workers from the TEMA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The group studied the housing needs of survivors displaced by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and associated flooding from April 25-28.
Local counties included in the study were Bledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Monroe and Rhea.
Task force representatives talked with hundreds of disaster survivors who had asked for and received FEMA housing assistance grants. Most found housing, and fewer than 1 percent still needed additional help, the study said.
The others met their housing needs by staying in their damaged dwellings while repairs were made; finding their own rentals or being referred to available rental properties.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
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