While not a state, Puerto Ricans have been U.S. Citizens since 1917, says LOC.gov.
As citizens, they are able to come to any of the 50 United States at any time.
Given the devastation on the island in the wake of Hurricane Maria, many believe that’s precisely what’s starting to occur, and will likely happen at an increasing pace.
The disaster, of course, is an immense tragedy to the millions on the island.
The still from the NBC News video shows just how devastated the electrical grid is post-Irma. The top half of the picture is the view pre-Maria, the bottom half of the still, after the monster storm.
To get a sense of the magnitude of the human need, as Fox News reports, the population on the island is equal or greater than 21 of the United States.
There are millions without power on the island, with declining food, water, and other basic needs.
Housing
The tragedy is bound to attract serious attention from those in the housing sector, including manufactured homes, modular, and prefab housing.
There is going to be a dual need.
- One, housing on the island itself.
- Two , housing for those who are leaving Puerto Rico for the mainland.
FEMA is already scrambling after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. While power has been restored to most of Florida now, there’s tens of billions of dollars in damage that must be dealt with here.
Clayton, Clinton, and Haiti
Some professionals may recall that during the Haiti’s crisis, Clayton Homes worked with the Clinton Foundation to ship units to that island nation. Controversy arose in the mainstream media in the wake of that disaster regarding placements and performance due to problematic installations.
Certainly, there were some arguably some problems with the Montreal Gazette’s reporting, but the fact remains that serious issues were raised that harmed the industry image. Those are lessons that the factory-built home industry needs to consider, learn from, and hopefully avoid.
Post Hurricane Industry Responses
With manufacturing facilitates already backordered numerous weeks, there are reports coming into MHProNews that some factories may expand, open or reopen production to meet the needs.
But that too has its challenges.
Labor must be recruited, and trained. There is the balance investors make between meeting the needs, and the question mark of what happens post-disaster.
The Daily Business News on MHProNews will continue to track the post-hurricane recovery efforts. ## (News, analysis. Editor’s Note: we salute all those who are responding to these disasters, and pray for the speedy recovery of the millions of victims.)
FEMA/Disaster Related:
Industry Voices Op-Ed – Award Winning Manufactured Home Retailer on FEMA Takeover, Impact on Independents
News:
FEMA, Clayton Growing “Threat” to Independent “Non-Corporate” Companies – from Omaha
Report – Memo Confirms FEMA Can ‘Take Over’ Manufactured Housing Production
Association, Members Respond to Hurricane Harvey, FEMA and Related Manufactured Housing Efforts
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