Roughly 2,000 Hurricane Katrina victims still living in FEMA trailers and mobile homes parishwide have until Aug. 29 to find other housing or face fines and penalties, Parish President Kevin Davis said Thursday afternoon.

'��It'��s time,'�� Davis said. '��We need to move forward.'��

On Oct. 24, 2005, Davis issued an executive order allowing residents to live in the trailers despite violations of parish zoning rules and neighborhood covenants. Now, he'��ll let the order expire on Katrina'��s third anniversary, Aug. 29, paving way for FEMA to start removing the homes the same day. '��This early announcement give citizens three months to complete work on their homes or make alternative housing plans,'�� Davis said.

By now, hurricane victims should have found permanent housing or built a new home, David said. Instead, many living in FEMA trailers sublet the property or use it as a spare room or storage facility while living elsewhere. Others '��don'��t do anything. There is grass (waist high), and they still live in the trailer,'�� Davis said.

'��People of St. Tammany have been understanding in helping our neighbors, but it'��s been three years,'�� he said.

Speaking at a press conference, Davis offered assurance that FEMA will help find those who still live in the trailers '�“ about 1,200 in various plots and 600 or so in trailer parks '�“ find permanent housing.

'��There shouldn'��t be anybody that falls through the cracks,'�� he said.

FEMA will pay to store those residents'�� belongings and fund hotel bills until a home is found. Food stipends and pet bills will also be funded, and for those who want to relocate, FEMA will reimburse up to $4,000 for travel and moving expenses, including transportation of furniture, Davis said.

Unlike Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany will offer no appeals process, Davis said. Instead, officials will aggressively ticket those who violate parish zoning ordinances by remaining in the trailers. Fines can reach as much as $500 per day, and neighborhood associations can also file a lawsuit, he said.

There is one exception to the rule: Travel trailers in group sites, such as trailer parks, will not be affected by the emergency order'��s expiration, Davis said. However, those trailers, including park models, do not meet safety codes for permanent housing and parish occupancy permits will not be issued for travel trailers used as permanent housing.

The roughly 2,000 FEMA trailers in St. Tammany Parish signals a steady recovery when compared to 11,000 FEMA trailers that dotted the landscape three years ago.

The majority of those trailers were found in Slidell, where 6 to 8 feet storm surges swallowed the southern half of the city and left entire neighborhoods decimated. Today, East St. Tammany still boasts the majority of FEMA trailers, Davis said.

Davis said he spoke with area mayors and FEMA before making his decision to let the order expire. All parties agreed the trailers need to be removed, he said.