Bigger Trailer Homes Coming

The eagerly awaited bigger trailer homes that can comfortably accommodate eight people are finally on their way, with ten arriving next week.

"There are many families currently living in cramped conditions that are very excited at the prospect of moving into larger accommodation," said Mrs. Twyla Vargas, administrative assistant for the Cayman Islands Recovery Operation's (CIRO) Temporary Housing Committee.

She added, however, that although solid progress has been made in setting up families in temporary homes, the waiting list remains long, as many people are still sharing homes with family and friends.

"Some people have removed their names from the waiting list because repairs on their homes have been completed, but few have actually moved from their trailer homes back into their own places. Indications are that the shortest period of trailer occupancies will be between two and three months," Mrs. Vargas said.

Currently there are 40 trailers on island, and all are occupied. Over the next few weeks some 44 more trailers will be arriving, including the bigger trailers. Most of these have already been allocated. "We simply don't have enough trailer homes to accommodate everyone, "Mrs. Vargas added.

Looking ahead to the approaching hurricane season, she said that if Cayman is threatened by a storm all trailer home residents will be required to leave for shelters or other safe places. The empty trailer homes will be strapped down and secured as best possible.