NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS)— FEMA officials have extended its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for an additional two months, through May 26, 2025, for over 2,700 families impacted by Hurricane Helene, according to a release on Sunday.
The program was previously set to expire for eligible families at the end of March.
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On Thursday, Governor Stein urged FEMA Administrator Criswell to extend the eligibility period for an additional six months, through September. In a letter from FEMA to Governor Stein, officials approved an additional 60 days rather than the 180 days previously requested.
On Sunday, Governor Stein released a statement regarding that decision, that reads:
“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.
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.”
The program is scheduled to end was a last night of stay on March 26 and hotel check-out on March 27.
Transitional Sheltering Assistance 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.
FEMA must give a 21-day advanced notice for those being asked to leave their hotel provided by TSA. Disaster survivors are encouraged to remain in touch with FEMA throughout this process by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center in their community, visiting disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
