FEMA Katrina Trailer Camps Post Index - Polly Auyeung

This post is to provide a brief summary of the FEMA Katrina Trailer Camps and link to more in-depth posts on the blog. Cited sources for each category are in the linked posts.

Subject: FEMA Trailer Camps (site photographs)

Architect: There were many levels of bureaucracy which all played a factor in the creation of the camps. However one of the key decision makers was Michael Brown, the now former FEMA director. (bio)

Purpose: After Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3 storm, hit the gulf coast of the united states, many people lost their homes. Roughly 700 000 applied to FEMA for housing assistance. The organization had to provide temporary housing for the displaced citizens. Trailers were chosen as the main option. (Hurricane Katrina context), (FEMA definition of a trailer),

Size and Scale: The trailers were small and compact so they could easily be stacked and transported to the camp site. The model we are studying is 32' x 8' x 11'4". (FEMA trailer specs), (trailer plan), (trailer elevations)

Timeline: After Hurricane Katrina, the camps were set up weeks later. With an original closing deadline of 18 months after the storm, there are still residents today living in dilapitated FEMA trailers. (Timeline of FEMA's efforts), (trailers still in use)

Construction: Some of the trailers used for the FEMA efforts were pre-existing vehicles. The others were manufactured in various parts of North America including Goshen, IN. These trailers are constructed of low grade aluminum siding, chipboard, and vinyl.  (construction details), (trailer 3D render), (trailer wall detail)

Address, Location and Site: FEMA Camps are located across the United States but the majority are near the Gulf Coast. They are set up wherever possible: school yards, existing trailer parks, parking lots... For that reason, the lack of officially divulged information makes many of the camps hard to track. Often the sites were not initially designed to hold many people but they are forced there anyways. They pack as many trailers as possible into the site to maximize efficiency and cost-saving over comfort. (potential camp beside oil refinery), (camp site plan), (FEMA camp grid parti), (inprisonment parti)

FEMA's Poor Management: The victims that are in the most need of housing are being evicted from FEMA's temporary housing even though the permanent housing has not been established yet. The over all poor construction, lack of amenities, and unhealthy environments are all part of FEMA's poor management in the Katrina crisis. (New Orleans: poverty and flooding), (trailers vs. houses), (formaldehyde in trailers), (Renaissance Village timeline), (residents forced to evict)

Relationship to the Site: FEMA trailers are immobile until the residents move out. The organization moved and anchored the trailers to the ground. As they are property of FEMA, residents cannot move them. Over time trailers are added and subtracted. Some still exist in camps today. (Fema trailer immobility), (FEMA camps over time compared to Airstream)