Trailer Story

This week, California's governor (Newsom) went out and did a public event to talk over his acquisition of 100 FEMA trailers which are being brought into the Oakland area, for the homeless crowd.  Cost to  the state?  It appears the acquisition is near zero, but whatever installation or placement charges come up....it's on California's tab (figure $150,000 to $200,000).

I sat and pondered over this.

For those old enough to remember Hurricane Katrina.....FEMA trailers were the original solution there, with thousands bought.  Then, came this issue of mold and funny plastic scent. 

These FEMA trailers are typically a cheaper RV trailer 'pick', costing around $12,000 to $15,000 and big enough for a max of four people (really, to be honest, two is the max you ought to force into the trailer).

Living in one full-time?  They might last four to six years, before you start to complain about leaks, structural issues, etc.  But throw the idea of giving it to a doper, or some paranoid schizophrenic guy?  It'll either be destroyed in three years, or turn into some kind of hazardous waste 'zone' (requiring $10k of state money to dispose of it in some massive way). 

Looking over this, I just have this idea that it's going to be an interesting 'reality-type' show.  Oakland is stuck....they have to find some vacant lot, and run power and water to thirty-odd RV trailer, parked on some rough gravel.  A couple of benches will be put up, with a cheapo water fountain, and a dumpster for hypodermic needles.  Once a week, an ambulance will pull up and pick some dead overdosed guy.....with the city bringing a new resident to the empty trailer. 

It's just a solution that will beg for new and fresher problems.