Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) officials announced an extension of transitional sheltering assistance for families in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.
WLOS News 13 reported earlier this month that thousands of North Carolina households were scheduled to lose FEMA assistance.
Households will now be allowed to stay in hotels until May.
FEMA sheltering grants related to Hurricane Helene extended through Memorial Day https://t.co/yPdW6nsvaI
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) January 21, 2025
WRAL reports:
According to FEMA, residents and families receiving hotel lodging while looking for alternative housing will be allowed to stay in hotels until May 25, with hotel check-out on May 26.
“This is a positive development,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said on X. “I pledge to work with the new administration to support displaced North Carolinians and help folks recover.”
ADVERTISEMENTThe extension comes after reports of people being kicked out of hotels FEMA provided.
"If any survivors still need housing assistance or feel their TSA eligibility ended in error, they should immediately call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362," FEMA said on Monday.
FEMA has granted our request for an extension of its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Eligible North Carolinians in need will have an additional 2 months to find alternative housing: through May 26, 2025.
This is a positive development, and I pledge to work with the… pic.twitter.com/cPoy5HJ1jk
— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) January 19, 2025
“Today’s decision will help eligible disaster survivors stay safe and sheltered as we continue the hard work of rebuilding in western North Carolina. 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. I pledge to work with the new administration to find solutions and resources that will best serve disaster survivors in North Carolina," Stein said in a statement.
“My team and I continue to pursue solutions to cut red tape and get people into housing faster, including our temporary travel trailer program. I will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners to do right by our neighbors in western North Carolina and keep working until every survivor has returned home," he added.
REPORT: FEMA SUDDENLY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL HELP TO DISASTER VICTIMS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA As 13,000 Families Are Stuck In Hotels As Part Of FEMA "Transitional Sheltering Assistance" Program.
FEMA Will Now Be Looking For Long Term Apartments While Victims Rebuild... pic.twitter.com/863dOYJiwn— John Basham (@JohnBasham) January 20, 2025
Per WLOS:
Although the TSA program will continue for disaster survivors unless they are no longer eligible after an eligibility review, the release said that the program extension does not mean everyone now participating in TSA will automatically continue to be eligible through May 26, 2025.
The release said that an individual can be found ineligible for the program based on 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.
According to the 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.
Additionally, the release said that FEMA must give a 21-day advanced notice for those being asked to leave their hotel provided by TSA.
WATCH:
