Turning FEMA Site Private - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Turning FEMA Site Private

Meanwhile work is underway to transition the Virgil Workman FEMA Housing Park east of Minot over to the private sector.

Currently the FEMA housing assistance expires June 24, 2013.

Senator John Hoeven said today there are roughly 450 families, currently living in the FEMA group site on 55th, who don't have the means to live anywhere else in Minot.

Hoeven said FEMA has agreed to donate 250 trailers to the Minot Housing Authority that would then be rented out to those families who qualify based on income.

He says for the remaining 200, purchase agreements are being worked out with FEMA as well along with FEMA's new commitment to upgrade the site.

(Senator John Hoeven, (R) North Dakota) "The good news is FEMA will donate the trailers, and that they will do the upgrade to the sewer utilities to get that all squared away, now we need to finish something with the Minot Housing Authority and I guess some of the roads and those kinds of things."

Nathan Smith is the current landowner where the Virgil Workman site sits.

He says he's committed to helping flood victims with their housing needs so they don't have to leave the Magic City.

(Nathan Smith, FMEA Site Landowner) "I believe that with what was put in by FEMA and so we have some infrastructure advantages we should be able to work out a project that will provide a solution so some of the housing problems we have in this community right now.

Smith says plans are underway to turn the remainder of FEMA group site on 55th into affordable houses sector that will enable more people to stay, live and work in Minot.