FEMA and the state of North Carolina are working to ensure that survivors of Tropical Storm Helene are in safe, functional housing. Temporary shelter and housing solutions are currently available to eligible households. It is important to note that survivors may be eligible for more than one type of housing assistance.
FEMA is providing Direct Temporary Housing Assistance to individuals and households in North Carolina where there is a lack of available housing resources due to Tropical Storm Helene. This assistance is offered as an interim solution to survivors’ permanent housing needs, and is provided in three forms: Direct Lease, Multifamily Lease and Repair (MLR) and Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHUs).
FEMA offers several other types of housing assistance:
- In Transitional Sheltering Assistance, FEMA pays directly to participating hotels and motels to cover the cost of room to provide short-term accommodations for eligible disaster survivors.
- Displacement Assistance is money that can be used to stay in a hotel, stay with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing. It is a one-time payment.
- Rental Assistance can help individuals pay for somewhere to live while home repairs are made or until a permanent housing solution is identified. The initial payment for Rental Assistance may be up to two months; additional help can be requested.
Direct Temporary Housing Assistance is approved for 25 counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.
How do I qualify for FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance?
Survivors may be considered for a direct temporary housing solution if their primary home is determined by FEMA to be unlivable as a result of damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be contacted by FEMA to discuss your housing needs.
You must apply for FEMA disaster assistance to be considered for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance. If you have not done so already, you can apply by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA App or by calling FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. You may also get in-person help with an application by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
What types of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance are available to me?
Assistance may come in the form of temporary housing, including Transportable Temporary Housing Units (e.g., travel trailers and manufactured homes), short-term or vacation rentals, apartments or duplexes.
What types of Transportable Temporary Housing Units does FEMA provide?
TTHUs available to eligible North Carolina survivors are:
- Travel Trailers: Travel trailers are small, flexible, easy to move and are the fastest option. They can be a great solution for an owner with a smaller lot. All FEMA travel trailers are pull-away, and none are motorized. Please keep in mind that travel trailers are not ideal for longer-term living.
- Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs): MHUs are regulated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development codes and are more suitable for longer-term living. They are larger than travel trailers and require more space and infrastructure. MHUs come in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations. These are single-wide. Lengths vary based on the number of bedrooms.
When will I get a Transportable Temporary Housing Unit?
FEMA has TTHUs in North Carolina and is contacting eligible survivors to assess their unique needs.
Please keep in mind every installation is a construction project. Before moving into a TTHU, the following will occur:
- FEMA must identify suitable sites for the placement of the unit.
- Completed site inspection, including gathering appropriate zoning permissions from local governments.
- Reviews for Environmental and Historic Preservation.
- Lot measurements to determine the fit for a unit.
- Proper utility hookups for water, sewer and electricity must be available and in working order.
- Installation of each unit then includes setting and leveling the unit, completing the utility hook up and completing the skirting, steps and ramps.
Do I need to move away from my home to get a Transportable Temporary Housing Unit?
Where possible, FEMA may be able to place a housing unit on your property. Placing a housing unit on a survivor’s private property is the best and fastest option because it keeps you close to home to oversee your recovery and involves the least amount of planning and coordination.
To place a unit on your property:
- FEMA must be able to access the site with a heavy unit.
- The site must have enough space for a unit.
- The site must be safe in terms of flood, landslide, and other risks.
- The site must have functional water, sewer and electric.
With quick permitting and coordination with local officials and utilities, FEMA may be able to install a unit on your property within a few weeks of determining eligibility.
Can FEMA place Transportable Temporary Housing Units on a site such as an RV or mobile home park?
Yes, FEMA can put units in several types of locations. We work with each individual survivor to determine the best location for their recovery. One of the best options for TTHU placement is in an existing commercial park, such as an RV park, mobile home park or campground.
Existing parks are great because we can utilize existing infrastructure. If needed, FEMA can assist with debris clearance and utility repairs to make use of the park.
Commercial parks can take a little longer than private site placement because it requires securing land leases and may require some utility or site work to implement.
Does FEMA use available short-term or vacation rentals?
Yes, you may be able to stay in a vacation rental such as Airbnb or Vrbo if you’re approved for Direct Lease.
Direct Lease is a program by which FEMA leases existing housing units that are ready for occupancy on behalf of applicants. Direct Lease allows FEMA to avoid competing with disaster survivors and takes advantage of existing housing stock not typically available to the public. This can be much faster than other options.
Direct Lease options may include vacation rentals (e.g., Airbnb or Vrbo), corporate apartments and secondary homes. However, vacation rentals tend to have short-term availability. We are looking for properties that are available for a term of no less than 18 months, with the option of lease extension.
Can FEMA pay to repair a hotel, dorm, or other type of facility to serve as Direct Housing?
FEMA may repair existing multi-family buildings (three or more units) in exchange for being able to use the units to house disaster survivors through the Multifamily Lease and Repair (MLR) program. MLR is not typically a primary direct housing solution, but a few large multi-family buildings can go a long way toward housing disaster survivors.
Owners of multi-family properties in need of repair that are interested in doing business with FEMA should register at sam.gov and monitor for RFIs and solicitations.
Can FEMA repair a residence on behalf of a renter?
No, FEMA does not repair an individual renter’s residence.
However, FEMA may repair or make improvements to existing multi-family rental/residential properties for the purpose of providing temporary housing to eligible FEMA applicants through MLR.
Properties must be available for a term of no less than 18 months, with the option of lease extension. They should be able to accommodate a considerable number of people in a single location. Each property must have been previously used as a multi-family housing complex and contain multiple rental units.
Hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. are not considered residential properties and are not authorized for MLR. The site must be repairable to local, state, and federal regulations within a four-month period and cannot be located in a floodway. MLR is not intended to repair or improve individual units to rehouse existing tenants.
If I’m approved for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, can I obtain other types of assistance from FEMA?
Yes. If you are a homeowner, you may be eligible to receive money for home repairs while staying in a temporary unit. Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for personal property losses, vehicle damage, funeral expenses and other disaster-related expenses.