Housing for Displaced

Temporary Housing through FEMA

If you're in need of temporary housing throughout all of this, your best option is to physically visit the FEMA location at the AC “Bud” Hogan Community Center/Old Fort Senior Center (909 E Main St., Old Fort), between 8am-7pm.  If unable to physically visit, you can call them at 1-800-621-3362.  You can also monitor the status of your application for help at disasterassistance.gov or using the FEMA app.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) 

Through TSA, FEMA pays directly to participating hotels and motels to cover the cost of room, taxes and non-refundable pet fees to provide short term accommodations for eligible disaster survivors. If you are eligible for TSA, FEMA will notify you using the contact information you provided on your application.  As of 11/22/24, this is still being offered.  

Direct Temporary Housing Assistance

FEMA offers several types of housing assistance and temporary shelter solutions for eligible households. Direct Temporary Housing Assistance is approved for 25 counties as an interim solution to permanent housing needs. These temporary housing solutions include travel trailers or manufactured home units, and more will be available soon. These options take time, and individuals will be contacted by FEMA if they are eligible. Learn more about housing assistance options and eligibility by watching this video: Direct Housing Assistance available in North Carolina for Helene Survivors.

Appeal a Decision

Do not give up if you've been denied housing assistance or received very little financial assistance from FEMA in your first or even second attempt.  FEMA is still your best option in most circumstances, but it can take time and work to get the support (your best bet is to continue to visit the closest physical FEMA location for assistance in person.)  You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending additional documents, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc., that show you qualify and need more help. Each decision letter from FEMA explains why you are ineligible and the types of documents to help you appeal.  Click here for more details on how to appeal.

You can also apply for temporary housing help with the following organizations:

Match: Fill out an enrollment packet on their site, or call 828-659-5289 for one to be mailed 

On Site Relief Organization: Fill out the form if you are in urgent need of shelter

Cabins for Christ: Fill out the form to request urgent temporary shelter in a cabin

Emergency RV: fill out this form to be added to a waitlist for an RV

Hope for Crisis: Fill out this form to get on the waitlist for a RV

Camp Grier in Old Fort has limited temporary to mid-term shelter that may be available 

If you have tried the above options and are waiting for a solution/have an immediate need for housing, the closest shelter to Old Fort that has availability as of 11/10 is a temporary shelter established at Gold’s Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Rd.  They enable families to stay together, accept pets, and have a kid’s playroom.

Efforts are underway by at least three different local businesses to get tiny homes of varying sizes built and placed throughout the Old Fort area.  Stay tuned for updates!