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.

Hurricane Helene Housing Crisis

Date: January 14, 2025

Summary: meteorology Matters analyzes various news sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the ongoing housing crisis in Western North Carolina (WNC) following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The document focuses on the challenges faced by displaced residents, government and FEMA response efforts, and the emerging role of campers as temporary housing solutions.

Main Themes:

1. Scale of Displacement and Housing Need: Hurricane Helene severely impacted WNC, damaging an estimated 121,000-132,000 homes and displacing over 12,000 residents as of January 2025. ("1,000 travel trailers approved for WNC residents displaced by Helene.pdf") The need for temporary housing remains critical, with thousands still residing in hotels, with friends and family, or in inadequate shelters.
2. FEMA's Response and Challenges: FEMA has been criticized for the slow rollout of temporary housing units, with less than 100 families residing in FEMA-provided trailers by January 2025. ("Are FEMA rules to blame for slow WNC housing recovery? Here’s what we learned..pdf") While FEMA maintains that its policies allow for placing units in floodplains as a last resort, the lengthy construction timelines and bureaucratic hurdles contribute to delays.

"The reason these units are taking so long in North Carolina is more complicated than some politicians are making it seem to their constituents" - BPR News, January 13, 2025

1. State and Local Initiatives: North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has taken proactive steps to address the housing crisis. He signed an executive order authorizing the purchase of 1,000 travel trailers for displaced residents, bypassing usual procurement procedures to expedite the process. ("1,000 travel trailers approved for WNC residents displaced by Helene.pdf") Local governments have also eased zoning restrictions to facilitate the placement of temporary housing units.
2. The Rise of Campers as Temporary Housing: With the shortage of FEMA units and the impending winter, many displaced residents are turning to campers and RVs as temporary homes. ("WNC residents displaced by Helene turn to campers as housing.pdf") This presents new challenges, including winterization of campers to withstand freezing temperatures and ensuring a consistent supply of propane for heating.

"The cold weather has not been easy" - Vickie Revis, resident living in a donated camper, January 7, 2025

1. FEMA's Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program: FEMA’s TSA program, which provides hotel vouchers for displaced residents, has been extended multiple times. However, thousands of residents faced eviction from the program in January 2025, forcing them to seek alternative housing solutions. ("FEMA grants 48-hour extension for thousands of displaced WNC residents staying i.pdf")

Key Facts and Figures:

• 12,000+: Estimated number of WNC residents displaced by Hurricane Helene.
• 1,000: Number of travel trailers authorized for purchase by the state of North Carolina.
• <100: Number of families residing in FEMA-provided trailers by January 2025.
• 3,500: Number of households facing eviction from FEMA's TSA hotel program in January 2025.

Wildfires and Climate Change

Main Themes:

• Climate Change Fuels Wildfires: Warmer temperatures, drought, and a "thirsty" atmosphere create ideal conditions for larger, more frequent, and more severe wildfires.
• Wildfires Exacerbate Climate Change: Fires release massive amounts of carbon dioxide and destroy carbon sinks like forests, contributing to further warming.
• Expanding Wildfire Season: The traditional wildfire season is extending, with significant fires occurring even in winter months.
• Widespread Impacts: Wildfire smoke impacts air quality and public health far beyond the immediate fire zone.
• Adapting to a New Reality: Communities need to adapt to a future of more frequent and intense wildfires through prevention, mitigation, and building resilience.

Key Facts & Ideas:

Climate Change and Wildfire:

• Climate change has doubled the area burned by wildfires in the western U.S. since the 1980s. (NOAA)
• "Weather whiplash," the rapid shift between wet and dry periods, is intensifying globally due to climate change, exacerbating fire risk. (Washington Post)
• California now has 78 more annual “fire days” than 50 years ago. (CalMatters)
• Drought-stressed trees are more susceptible to insects and diseases, increasing fuel load. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Shrinking snowpacks and earlier snowmelt further dry out forests. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Lightning-sparked fires are becoming more common due to climate change. (CalMatters)

Wildfire Impacts:

• Wildfires release massive amounts of pollutants, including black carbon, which is thousands of times more damaging than greenhouse gases. (CalMatters)
• Smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds of miles, affecting air quality and public health even in areas far from the fires. (Covering Climate Now)
• Wildfire smoke is particularly harmful to children. (Covering Climate Now)
• Wildfires destroy forests, which act as carbon sinks, further contributing to climate change. (Covering Climate Now)
• Intense fires can burn deep into the soil, creating risks for future mudslides and flooding. (Covering Climate Now)

Adaptation and Prevention:

• Communities need to adapt to the “Pyrocene,” the age of fire, through fire-resistant building materials, defensible space around homes, and updated building codes. (CalMatters)
• Utilities need to improve infrastructure and vegetation management to prevent power lines from sparking fires. (CalMatters)
• Prescribed burns can help reduce fuel loads and promote healthy forest ecosystems. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Better forest management and community planning are crucial for reducing wildfire risks. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Public awareness and education about wildfire risk and prevention are essential. (Covering Climate Now)