Fewer in Corridor living in FEMA trailers

The number of Iowans living in temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declined sharply in the last two months.

Iowans were living in 197 FEMA-provided mobile homes as of Tuesday, down from 288 on June 12.

FEMA said 139 of the mobile homes are in Linn County - 72 in Cedar Rapids, 54 in Marion and 13 in Hiawatha. In Johnson County, three families or individuals are living in FEMA trailers in North Liberty.

On June 12, 206 Linn County families or individuals were living in FEMA mobile homes - including 115 in Cedar Rapids, 71 in Marion and 20 in Hiawatha. In Johnson County, five families or individuals were living in FEMA trailers in North Liberty.

Mike Parker, FEMA's federal coordinating officer, said the decline in temporary housing is a further sign of recovery from the June 2008 flood.

Parker said 72 families or individuals have expressed interest in buying the units they are occupying under FEMA's voluntary sales to occupant program. Those who were eligible were sent information about the program in May.

Those who did not express interest in buying the mobile homes will be able to continue living there until Nov. 27 as long as they are eligible. Iowans living in FEMA-supplied mobile homes will be recertified each month to determine their eligibility.