Expo to feature latest in disaster housing

WHAT: Disaster Housing Exhibition, which will feature temporary housing solutions for government entities to house disaster survivors and responders. Models on display for housing survivors will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant models, Park models, a disaster mobile home unit, and travel trailers for residential lots. Student volunteers will occupy survivor units overnight prior to the event to demonstrate the comfort and livability of the units on display. The Expo will also feature responder housing units including a bunkhouse, a shower unit, and an ADA toilet/shower unit. Attendees will have full access to inspect the units, inquire of the vendors and receive documents relating to the units.

FIU has a strong contingent of researchers addressing disaster mitigation problems through innovative research projects that include the Wall of Wind as well as a state-funded Center of Excellence project for the university’s International Hurricane Research Center. Additionally, the university also has received funding from the federal government to support a USAID initiative for International Disaster Risk Reduction.

The university will continue to grow its disaster mitigation program through the continuation of strong partnerships with organizations such as the Division of Emergency Management and USAID as well as the private sector.

WHO: The event is sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, MLU Services and Florida International University. It is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Monday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Florida International University – University Park, Parking Lot 5, 11200 S.W. 8th St. Parking Lot 5 is adjacent to the Miami-Dade Youth Fair grounds.

Media contact: Jean Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716.

-FIU-

About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.