PALM BEACH POST August 8, 2007
Farmworkers, FEMA sent to mediation over housing
WEST PALM BEACH — U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann E. Vitunac has ordered mediation to try to resolve a suit filed by a farmworkers' group against the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations sued FEMA in February 2006. It alleged that after three hurricanes in two years, many farmworkers got temporary housing from FEMA, but those who were illegal immigrants had to sleep in cars or in homes that were damaged or condemned. A previous mediation try failed. Should this round, ordered July 31, also fail, a trial date is set for Jan. 14. Both sides are seeking summary judgments. A separate civil rights complaint the association filed in May 2006 is still active. It claims FEMA didn't provide enough financial help and alleged inspectors were rude to residents, few inspectors spoke Spanish and many made only cursory inspections. FEMA has said inspectors bring translators if residents note language problems on applications and inspectors don't need to speak to residents to do their work.
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