Diocese of Trabonne-This is a difficult time for people living in the estuary community that was hit by Hurricane Ida two months ago. Even with that long time, many people are still homeless, and some find themselves zip up their tents at night.   

"I was surprised I was in the tent," Rachel Martin said. "I don't know where I will be two months after the storm."  

When Rachel Martin returned home after Hurricane Ida, she thought she still had a place to live. 

"The roof was completely scraped off. It extended to the plywood, causing a series of water damage," Martin said.   

Her home in Houma was condemned, so she and her husband began to live with Burg’s family, and their roof was damaged.   

"Due to the long repair time, their house is moldy, so now their house is undergoing mold repair," Martin said.  

Martin and her husband are now forced to live in a tent outside.   

"It's hot when it's hot, and cold when it's cold," Martin said. "It's rough."  

They are one of the nearly 3,000 families in the parish of Terrebonne who need temporary housing. Martin applied for a travel trailer through the state program when it was first started, but did not hear anything.   

"We really have to make their temporary hose program go faster," said Christopher Pulaski, Terrebonne Parish's planning and zoning director.   

Pulaski said that the process of delivering the trailer to people should take a week and a half, but it will take longer. Pulaski said it was frustrating to see more than 200 travel trailers parked at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center unused.   

"In the final analysis, federal guidelines and procedures need to be followed, because this is how FEMA requires and operates reimbursements and so on.  

Martin said that her family insurance policy does not cover any type of emergency housing, and because she has insurance, she did not receive any help from FEMA.  

"As a result, I am not entitled to FEMA housing, so my only option is to stay in my car, stay with my family or stay in a tent," Martin said.  

Since the sound of house repairs can be heard throughout the Hekou community, Martin only hopes to hear the voices of the people living here.   

Martin said: "For society, things are developing at a steady rate, but for individuals, there are many families in urgent need of help."  

Related: "Nowhere to go" | The slow process has left thousands of people in Terrebonne in need of temporary housing

Related: Plaquemines parish meeting discusses FEMA flood plan as residents rebuild

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