Katrina trailers

More than three and one-half years have elapsed since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. But some people are still in trailers or other temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

That is about to end as FEMA intends to take away the trailers in Louisiana and Mississippi by the end of this month.

The New York Times reported there are more than 3,000 people in FEMA trailers and 80 living in hotels financed by the agency since it closed group trailer sites last May.

Viewed from afar, one might say that enough time has passed for these storm victims to make other housing arrangements. Yet most are "elderly, disabled or both," the Times notes. More than 2,000 are homeowners who have been trying to rebuild but need more time.

Recently housing advocates such as the Louisiana Advocacy Coalition for the Homeless have urged FEMA to extend its deadlines because the remaining trailer dwellers, the Gulf Coast's most vulnerable residents, have few or no options.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a Republican, has asked Washington for 5,000 additional subsidized housing vouchers, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Louisiana state programs in this area have been largely ineffectual: not one of the modest, permanent dwellings called "Katrina cottages" has been built despite federal assistance for the program. Repairs intended for more than 18,000 damaged rental units have been few and far between.

Federal rebuilding money for the trailer residents has been inadequate.

One can understand setting a deadline for temporary housing. But throwing desperate people out of their only shelter is no solution. FEMA should continue to work with the trailer residents and their respective states to solve the problem.