FEMA Housing Debacle in Western North Carolina

Situation: FEMA’s handling of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina has come under intense scrutiny, despite extensions of the program and assurances from officials.

Timeline of Events:

• Jan. 3rd, 2025: FEMA begins notifying some families that they are no longer eligible for TSA.
• Jan. 10th, 2025: FEMA grants a 48-hour extension of the TSA program due to a winter storm impacting the region.
• Jan. 13th, 2025:FEMA announces an extension of the TSA program until January 25th.
• FEMA states via email that the TSA program will continue through March for eligible families and households.
• Jan. 14th, 2025: Check-out date for many families in hotels under the TSA program.
• Jan. 15th, 2025:Morning: Dozens of families in Western North Carolina are evicted from hotels despite the extension.
• Afternoon: FEMA issues a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that "current eligible occupants can remain in their lodging through the end of March 2025."
• Evening: Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis publicly criticize FEMA for the evictions, calling it a "total breakdown" and "unacceptable."

Key Issues:

• Miscommunication and Confusion: Conflicting information and deadlines from FEMA have caused significant confusion and distress for displaced families. Despite FEMA extending the deadline and stating that the program would continue through March for eligible families, people were still evicted from hotels.
• Lack of Transparency: It is unclear how FEMA is determining eligibility for continued TSA assistance. There are reports that some families are being deemed ineligible without clear explanations.
• Insufficient Support: Nonprofits and hotels have stepped in to provide temporary housing for those who were evicted, highlighting the lack of adequate support from FEMA.

Further Information:

• Individuals in need of assistance should contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or visit budd.senate.gov for support from Senator Budd’s office.
• The public can report their experiences and provide insights to WRAL News via wral.com/reportit.