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FEMA extends hotel stays for eligible Helene survivors by two months

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FEMA extends hotel stays for eligible Helene survivors by two months

By Greg Childress
FEMA extends hotel stays for eligible Helene survivors by two months
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Debris and a mobile home are piled up along a tree line in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 29, 2024 in Old Fort, North Carolina. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Over the weekend. Gov. Josh Stein applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to extend its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for two months, through May 26.

The program that allows disaster survivors to be housed in temporary, short-term accommodations when other housing options are not available was scheduled to end in March. State officials said the extension will help more than 2,700 households impacted by Hurricane Helene to remain housed in hotels, so long as they have a need.

“Today’s decision will help eligible disaster survivors stay safe and sheltered as we continue the hard work of rebuilding in western North Carolina,” Stein said in a statement. “FEMA’s decision to extend the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program for two months is a positive step forward and frees eligible disaster survivors from worrying about being kicked out of the program in March.”

Last week, Stein asked FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to extend the agency’s TSA program for eligible North Carolinians for an additional six months. Stein said his administration will “continue to pursue solutions to cut red tape and get people into housing faster, including our temporary travel trailer program.”

The TSA extension does not mean that everyone now participating in the program will automatically continue to be eligible through May 26. According to Stein’s press release, FEMA reviews disaster survivors’ eligibility on a rolling basis to determine their continued participation in the program or to determine if other FEMA disaster survivor programs may better serve their needs.

FEMA must give a 21-day advanced notice for those being asked to leave their hotel provided by TSA.

TSA continues for disaster survivors unless they are no longer eligible after an eligibility review for the following reasons:

  • An inspection indicated that their home is now habitable and safe.
  • The disaster survivor declined a FEMA inspection.
  • FEMA has been unable to contact the survivor to update their housing needs, despite multiple attempts.

Disaster survivors can remain in touch with FEMA throughout the process by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center in their community, by visiting disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.