
FEMA extends hotel stays for Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina until January 25, offering a reprieve for thousands of displaced families.
At a Glance
- FEMA extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program in North Carolina to January 25
- Over 3,000 families eligible for the program’s extension
- Extension allows households more time to find alternative housing or repair their homes
- Concerns arose due to cold temperatures in North Carolina
- Some residents returning to livable homes or opting out of FEMA assistance
FEMA Extends Critical Housing Aid
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced an extension of its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program in North Carolina until January 25. This decision comes as a relief to thousands of families displaced by Hurricane Helene, providing them with additional time to secure long-term housing solutions or complete necessary repairs to their homes.
The TSA Program, which offers free hotel rooms to eligible hurricane survivors, has been a lifeline for many North Carolina residents. Initially set to end on January 12, the program received a brief extension to January 14 before FEMA announced the more substantial extension to January 25.
Program Impact and Eligibility
FEMA reports that over 3,000 families are eligible for the program’s extension. This comes after more than 10,000 households initially accepted temporary shelter through the TSA program following Hurricane Helene. While most have since transitioned to longer-term housing, thousands still rely on this assistance.
Eligibility for the TSA program requires maintaining contact with FEMA, having an unsafe home, not receiving rental assistance, and not having insurance for living expenses. FEMA covers room costs, taxes, and non-refundable pet fees through this program, providing comprehensive support for displaced families.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the extension, some residents still face uncertainty. Maryjo Tucker, a displaced resident awaiting a FEMA inspection, expressed concern about her housing situation. “I’m still waiting on the inspection through FEMA and I called them yesterday as a matter of fact and she said, ‘Yes, you have an inspection due, don’t know whether they’re going to contact you. However, you need to be out by Saturday,'” Tucker stated.
“Come this Saturday, I’m going to use my paycheck Friday and I’ve already been in contact with the animal shelter to take my dog because I’m not going to put my dog out here in these streets, you know. I don’t even know what’s going to happen in two days, not to be able to sleep in a bed or be warm at night, you know,” said Tucker.
FEMA has responded to these concerns, stating that households with pending inspections remain eligible for TSA. The agency has completed nearly 91,500 inspections, with 98% of current requests fulfilled, taking 4-5 days per inspection.
Next Steps for Affected Residents
As the January 25 deadline approaches, FEMA urges survivors to update their housing status and contact information to avoid delays. Those with questions about ineligibility can call FEMA’s helpline or visit a Disaster Recovery Center for assistance. While the TSA program provides temporary relief, the ultimate goal is to help families transition to more permanent housing solutions.
For those not eligible for FEMA’s program, counties have their own shelters and nonprofits to assist. This multi-faceted approach aims to ensure that all hurricane survivors have access to safe housing as they continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Sources:
- https://abc11.com/post/helene-aftermath-residents-call-fema-extend-housing-aid-hurricane-victims-asheville-north-carolina/15792506/
- https://www.foxnews.com/us/fema-extends-transitional-housing-program-north-carolina-residents-displaced-hurricane-helene
- https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/southeast/fema-extends-north-carolina-hotel-aid/
- https://www.oann.com/newsroom/fema-extends-transitional-housing-assistance-for-north-carolina-hurricane-helene-survivors/