Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for Helene Survivors
Direct Temporary Housing Assistance (DTHA) is one of several types of housing assistance available through FEMA.
Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Overview
FEMA is providing multiple temporary housing options to meet North Carolina disaster survivors' individual needs as the holiday season nears. The quickest form of help may be financial assistance to pay for rent, temporary hotel or motel stays or reimbursement for out-of-pocket hotel costs. These options are available now.
At the request of the state of North Carolina, FEMA has authorized DTHA for 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 counties. Due to a shortage of available housing caused by the disaster, this assistance is offered as an interim solution for survivors’ permanent housing needs.
DTHA seeks to provide safe, secure housing to eligible disaster survivors who have no other temporary housing solution and for whom financial assistance is insufficient to meet the need. FEMA Direct Housing is designed to provide more comfortable living circumstances for survivors who need months or longer to find a permanent housing solution.
Applicants do not need to apply separately for DTHA. After receiving an application for FEMA assistance and completing a home assessment, FEMA contacts households that may qualify to determine whether the applicant needs direct temporary housing and, if so, which type of housing. This determination is based on the size and needs of the household, including any people with disabilities or other access or functional needs. Because of this, it can take some time to implement.
Not all applicants will qualify for DTHA. Applicants who do not qualify may qualify for rental assistance.
Eligibility
To be eligible, survivors must apply with FEMA, meet all the conditions of eligibility for the FEMA Individuals and Households Program and be verified by FEMA through an on-site inspection conducted following an applicant’s application as:
§ An owner of a disaster-damaged primary residence with real property verified loss amount of at least $12 per square foot; or
§ A renter with a disaster-damaged primary residence that was destroyed or received major damage as a result of the disaster.
Types of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance
Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHUs) – FEMA may place a Travel Trailer or Manufactured Housing Unit on a private site or in a commercial park. FEMA may also coordinate with state and local officials to construct group sites if other forms of direct housing are infeasible or unavailable.
Direct Lease – FEMA may lease existing, ready-to-occupy residential properties for use as temporary housing. Eligible property types may include vacation rentals, corporate apartments, second homes, single-family homes, cooperatives, condominiums, townhouses and other readily fabricated dwellings. Direct Lease is for eligible applicants whose housing needs cannot be met with other direct temporary housing assistance options.
Multifamily Lease and Repair (MLR) – FEMA may fund the repair or improvement of existing vacant multi-family rental properties that eligible applicants can use for temporary housing.
What FEMA is Doing Now
FEMA is taking several actions to enable the delivery of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, including:
§ Conducting assessments for applicants who meet the initial eligibility criteria;
§ Reviewing, identifying and documenting potential land, commercial parks and properties to provide Direct Temporary Housing Assistance;
§ Staging TTHUs in North Carolina; and
§ Soliciting interest in Direct Lease and MLR. FEMA posted requests for Information on SAM.GOV on October 7, 2024 for Direct Lease and MLR:
○ Interested property owners or management companies must provide responses and comments no later than 5:00 PM EST, Nov. 6, 2024 via email to fema-mlr_dr4827nc@fema.dhs.gov and fema direct_lease_dr4827nc@fema.dhs.gov.
○ The email subject line should read: RFI #70FBR425-MLR-DR4827NC Response: MLR-DR-4827-NC
Actions That You Can Take Now
FEMA Direct Housing requires close coordination across FEMA, state and local officials. County officials can help the process by taking the following actions:
§ Encourage North Carolina residents to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. This will initiate the eligibility determination process and will enable FEMA to work with applicants directly to determine their housing needs.
§ Help FEMA identify possible placement sites for TTHUs. FEMA has site inspectors who visit privately owned sites, campgrounds, commercial parks, city-or state-owned land, vacant land or even parking lots to assess whether it is feasible to place a TTHU. County officials can look for:
○ Sites that might be large enough to fit FEMA TTHUs. FEMA’s units range from travel trailers (8.5’ wide and 25’ long or longer) to Manufactured Housing Units (14’ wide and 40’ to 75’ long depending on number of bedrooms);
○ Sites that are accessible by road; and
○ Sites that ideally already have water, sewer and electric or are ready to have water, sewer and electric installed.
§ If you have sites for FEMA to assess, coordinate with your state counterparts. The below details would be helpful to include:
○ Site address or coordinates;
○ Description of site, including approximate dimensions and number of pads; and
○ Photos and any other information you have collected.
§ Engage local permitting offices to ensure visibility and alignment on temporary housing placement and provide contact information to FEMA officials for coordination.
§ Encourage property owners who may be interested in participating in Direct Lease or MLR.
For more information contact the North Carolina Department of Public Safety at 919-825-2378 or via email at iarecovery@ncdps.gov.