[TXnMA]

A FEMA spokesman said the agency has also put out a call to producers of "manufactured housing" and recreational vehicles - campers and the like - asking for assistance, and has placed orders for more than 50,000 trailers.

~~~~~~

New Orleans is a major containerized shipping port, and you can see hundreds of those empty, semi-trailer-sized containers floating around in train yards, etc. IOW, the containers are already on-site.

I propose that FEMA bring NO workers back as contractors and set up teams to :

• Recover and place the containers in "villages".
• Empty, steam clean and sanitize the interiors
• Install windows
• Install wiring and HVAC
• Insulate and panel the interiors
• Build-in bunk beds, desks, etc.
• Use this "container city" for housing re-construction workers -- many of whom have just been paid to build their own lodgings.

Of course, I advocate using salvaged materials -- and displaced area workers -- wherever possible. And no unions!!!

Who knows -- if those folks work on building their own new homes, they might even take reasonable care of them -- unlike the case in the typical "projects".

[Coldwater Creek]

It is also a chance to learn a trade that pays well. My black plumber makes more than the doctor that lives across the street.

[StarSpangled]

Sorry. Those jobs have already been promised (contracted) to Halliburton. I think the people of New Orleans should have a stake in rebuilding their own city.

[axes_of_weezles]

I was thinking right along the same lines. Reusing Conexes like you describe.

They rent the Office type conexes at work and from what I have seen of them, I would live in one of the rehabbed ones with insulation and A/C.

Such a great idea, you know they wont do it.

[TexanToTheCore]

A company called Port-a-Kamp uses containers in just this manner They make up really great deer hunting shacks out of them. Shack being a relative term. Deer Hunting shacks in Texas are very luxurious.