A year after the devastating Souris River flood of 2011, more than 1,200 displaced residents are still living in temporary housing units provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the next week or so, the city hopes to find out more information from those residents to help determine the area's long-term housing needs.
We know some area residents affected by the flood are likely tired of filling out paperwork, but this survey will provide local officials with an up-to-date snapshot of what displaced residents have planned for the immediate future. We encourage residents to fill out the survey, which is scheduled to be delivered this week and picked up beginning Aug. 1.
The survey, which will be distributed and collected by FEMA representatives, is two pages long and includes sections for renters and homeowners. The information gathered in the survey will be used for the City of Minot's Unmet Needs Assessment. It includes questions about homeowners' plans for flood-damaged homes and affordable rent rates, among other topics.
We're happy to see some FEMA?units disappearing from around town, because that means some homeowners are back in their homes. This survey could help that process continue. Again, we realize the past year has been full of paperwork for flood victims, but surveys and questionnaires could provide valuable information as the city makes decisions on how best to move forward in the continued effort to recover from the 2011 flood.