Katrina Cottages May Be Viable Option

Mississippi is competing with Louisiana for a $400 million pilot program that would replace FEMA travel trailers with so-called "Katrina cottages,” or other modular housing.

But the quickest way to get into a cottage is by heading to your local Lowe's store.

The Katrina cottage was introduced more than a year ago, as a stronger, more comfortable alternative to the FEMA travel trailers. The steel-framed cottage is built to withstand 140-mile-per-hour winds.

"It's affordable housing and it's excellent for displaced residents," said Mike Brisson, Lowe's operations manager in Flowood, but it could be months before the government may begin issuing the cottages.

In the meantime, Private Enterprise is taking advantage of the widespread interest in the tiny homes, and not just from hurricane victims.

"You know, red cross, military folks, and other folks that have lost everything in their lives," said Brisson.

Lowe's stores are offering Katrina cottage kits that include everything you need to build a home, including studs, wall panels, insulation, electrical systems, and appliances.

The kits are, for the most part, completely do-it-yourself. They're only available right now at select Lowe's along the Gulf Coast, but they should be in stores nationwide by next year.

Four different floor plans are available, ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. That may be out of reach for many hurricane victims, but some could decide to buy the cottages themselves instead of waiting for the government.

"That may be a good alternative to what they got right now, because if another storm comes through, it's going to be a mess," said Derrick Robinson of Puckett.

"It's great that Lowe's and local communities are getting involved and taking the next step to bringing people's lives back to some normalcy," said Brisson.

Orders for Katrina cottages take four to six weeks. The kits are delivered straight to the work site. However, according to employees at the Lowe's stores in Gautier, Miss., and Waveland, Miss., orders are not yet being taken.