Why did FEMA suspend the sale of temporary housing units?
On July 24, 2007, FEMA suspended the reporting of excess of temporary housing units to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) while reviewing a number of policies associated with disaster housing because of potential health concerns associated with formaldehyde in manufactured housing units. On July 31, 2007, FEMA reinstated the use of mobile homes for direct housing missions as well as mobile home sales through GSA. Additionally, in compliance with a November 2007 federal court order (In re: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Trailer Formaldehyde Products Liability Litigation) regarding formaldehyde in temporary housing units, FEMA temporarily suspended the donation and disposal of temporary housing units and only authorized the sale of mobile homes to current occupants of those homes and the donation of certain mobile homes to Indian tribes. Recently, the Court Order expired which had required FEMA to keep all of its temporary housing units for review and possible tes
