For Immediate Release:
March 21, 2007

BRACE Begins Transfer of Ownership of FEMA Mobile Homes to Families

In October of 2006, BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies) announced the launch of Mission Homeward Bound, a community-based initiative that allowed families to remain in FEMA temporary housing past the October 31 deadline. Over 200 families faced eviction. BRACE took donation of up to 215 FEMA mobile homes and travel trailers and assumed full financial responsibility for the units.  
 
At a news conference, BRACE and its partners announced the program would include the ability to transfer ownership of the units to families meeting the criteria of the Mission Homeward Bound Program. Last week, BRACE transferred ownership of 19 mobile homes to families living in the units since impacted by hurricanes Ivan or Dennis. More transfers of ownership are scheduled over the next several weeks. 

Since assuming responsibility for the mobile homes, three quarters of the families residing in those homes are receiving comprehensive case management.  More than 40 families are considered to be in the Extreme Low Income Category, with some of those families earning less than $10,000/year.  BRACE currently expects that approximately 20 families will be unable to self sustain, having insufficient income to afford commercial lot fees and other estimated costs of ownership.  Those families have been either approved for subsidized housing or are in the approval process.  All other clients who are able to self-sustain, are current in their rent and successfully complete their housing recovery action plan will receive ownership of their home at no cost (except certain fees for title transfer and recording). 
 
The partners of Mission Homeward Bound include BRACE, Escambia County, FEMA, Catholic Charities, United Way of Escambia County, Neighborhood Enterprise Foundation, Inc., Volunteer Florida Foundation and City of Pensacola.  The estimated cost of assuming responsibility for the units under the donation program was in excess of $600,000. Assistance has been provided from the community and FEMA. Jackie Bell, chairman of BRACE, reports “The program would not work without the support of our partners, including FEMA. Scott Morris, federal coordinating officer of FEMA, made the program possible by continuing to assist in addressing seemingly insurmountable problems we have faced since the beginning of the program.” Escambia County and the City of Pensacola have provided significant funding through the Neighborhood Enterprise Foundation, Inc. and the City’s Housing Department. Catholic Charities extended its Homeward Bound program to assist families in the donated units in preparing for ownership of their mobile home or finding other forms of permanent housing.   

After Hurricane Ivan, Escambia County had nearly 3,500 families housed in FEMA mobile homes and travel trailers—over 1,200 more than any other county in Florida after the 2004 hurricanes. Through the dedicated efforts of the local community and state and FEMA partners, more than 95% of those in FEMA temporary units returned to permanent housing.  As of October 31, 2006, Escambia County still had 215 families who remained in FEMA-provided temporary homes.