Following a story MHProNews posted Sept. 16, 2013 regarding the disastrous flooding in Colorado, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says it distributed $61,634,523 to uninsured homeowners hit by the flooding and rain, including $31,900 each to nearly all the residents of two manufactured home communities (MHCs) along the South Platte River in Evans. According to kdvrFOX31.com, while residents abandoned their ruined homes, Keith Cowen, who owns the 153-homesite Eastwood Village MHC, received nothing because FEMA said, “It’s not your personal residence so therefore we cannot pay you for your business.” He says he may lose $500k in unpaid rents, mortgages on manufactured homes he owned as well as clean-up and demolition costs. Evans Community Development Director Sheryl Trent says the city is trying to find relief dollars for Mr. Cowen and several other MHC landlords because by law they are required to clean up damaged property, but lack funding. FEMA suggested the Small Business Administration (SBA) is a better source for businesses to obtain financial aid. ##

(Photo credit: John Wark/Associated Press–road washed out by South Platte river near Greeley, Colo.)