7/27/93
By: Bev Darr
Courier-Post Staff Writer

The local mobile home park for flood victims being planned near Industrial Drive would not just provide temporary housing, according to former Hannibal building inspector Gene Guy.

Guy said the owner of the property being considered wants to have a permanent mobile home park there, so after the people are provided free rent for up to 18 months, some might choose to make it their permanent home.

Guy, who recently retired from his city position but is volunteering his services during the flood crisis, said approximately 40 mobile homes would be located on the property.

They would initially be provided only for flood victims, according to personnel at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Charlie Peters, a FEMA representative in Earth City, said FEMA would pay 75 percent of the development costs for the property, with the owner paying 25 percent.

The site has been visited by FEMA field representatives and they "heartily approved the site," Guy said. The property is adjacent to the Northeast Missouri Humane Society shelter.

Guy said the mobile home park could be set up quickly, after it is officially approved by FEMA. "I talked to local contractors, and they said they would give it first priority. We could probably have some trailers in seven to 10 days."

The FEMA office in Earth City has already received 20 "approved work orders" to provide a mobile home for local people, Peters said.

The information from local applicants was forwarded to Kansas City, where it is processed before being approved. "We have 20 authorizations, but that does not mean there are not more," Peters said. His office will be informed when more applications are approved. FEMA pays rent for up to 18 months.

The Hannibal FEMA center was open from July 13 until last Thursday, but applications for various types of federal assistance may still be made by calling (800) 462-9029.

An agricultural hotline is also provided, at (800) 577-2670.

The Hannibal FEMA center had 587 registrations for assistance, according to Martin Glennon of the Earth City center. He said there were 216 applications for housing, 130 for individual family grants, 106 for home loans, 87 for business loans, 150 for Red Cross assistance, 264 for unemployment assistance, 229 for tax consultations, four for insurance assistance, five for legal assistance, one for Social Security and six for veterans¹ assistance.