People displaced by Hurricane Helen can find temporary housing through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“This is just one of the suite of tools that we have available to support people with their short, mid and long-term housing needs as they continue their own personal recovery journey,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told BPR in an interview earlier this month.
Direct temporary housing, which includes travel trailers or manufactured housing units, is just one option. Transitional sheltering assistance, displacement assistance and rental assistance are also available for those impacted by the storm in all 25 counties.
Those impacted by Helene do not need to apply separately for housing. When applicants are interviewed by FEMA these needs for housing are considered as part of their application.
Criswell and FEMA Logistics Section Chief Joseph D'Angelo shared that the temporary houses are shipped from Hickory to families across western North Carolina. The initiative started with five temporary houses being placed in the field with more than 100 locations being inspected for use. Those inspections include an environmental impact study.
“We don’t want to put something in a flood plain. It has to be so that it won’t flood again,” D’Angelo said in a YouTube video.
The temporary homes are set up on people's personal property so they can live in them while they're rebuilding. FEMA is also looking at commercial sites where the units can be placed.
Criswell explained that every situation is unique.
“We cover the cost and it gives people a safe place to stay for a short period of time. We know that this isn't a longer term solution as we are trying to figure out whether or not they get access restored,” Criswell said.
Housing is crucial as many people in Western North Carolina are still without shelter. Over 4,500 families are being housed through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
Learn more about how FEMA provides housing support for survivors online.
Across Western North Carolina, more than 120,000 people have been approved for Individual Assistance in the 25 counties designated as the disaster area.
Resources for all
This weekend, Criswell decried the actions of one FEMA employee who advised her survivor assistance team to not go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump.
“I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct,” Criswell said.
In a statement Criswell said that “more than 22,000 FEMA employees every day adhere to FEMA’s core values and are dedicated to helping people before, during and after disasters, often sacrificing time with their own families to help disaster survivors.”
The employee was terminated and the matter has been referred to the Office of Special Counsel.
“I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again,” Criswell concluded.
Help beyond FEMA
On Nov. 7, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder explained that FEMA’s mass care team works with the folks in need after the storm individually to determine what resources are available for them. Those teams have so far approved four permits for mobile homes for residents in need of housing.
“We have a homeowner who has land that is not in the floodway that we can place that house,” Pinder said. She said she hopes that four mobile homes will be placed by the end of this week.
Nonprofit partners are also working to help address the housing need.
The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is also building homes in partnership with MANNA Food Bank. The group’s new home construction operations are back in full swing, according to Habitat leader Andy Barnett. Last week Habitat sold three new homes in the region through its affordable home program.
The group has also launched a disaster repair program for low-income homeowners. Repairs include work from multiple agencies with Habitat managing the initial requests.
“This is focused on serving families, low income homeowners, that may not be able to meet all of their repair needs with insurance or other assistance programs,” Barnett said.
Here are all of the FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Sites in the region:
This list was shared by Rep. Chuck Edwards Office on Nov. 11.
The following FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open seven days a week to assist North Carolina survivors who have experienced losses from Hurricane Helene.
Buncombe County - TEMPORARY LOCATIONS
Swannanoa Fire Rescue - Bee Tree Fire Sub Station
- 510 Bee Tree Rd., Swannanoa, NC 28778
- Open November 11-14, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot)
- 58 Apac Dr., Asheville, NC 28806
- Open November 15-18, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Buncombe County - PERMANENT LOCATION
Asheville Mall (former Gap store)
- 3 S. Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Haywood County
Regional High Technical Center
- 112 Industrial Park Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786
Henderson County
2111 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28791
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Jackson County
Jackson County Annex Building
- 198 WBI Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Macon County
Macon County Public Health Center
- 1830 Lakeside Dr., Franklin, NC 28734
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Madison County
Madison County Public Library - Marshall Branch
- 1335 N. Main St., Marshall, NC 28753
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
McDowell County
A.C. “Bud” Hogan Community Center
- 909 E. Main St., Old Fort, NC 28762
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
County Senior Center
- 100 Spaulding Rd., Marion, NC 28752
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Polk County
Polk County Recreation Complex (Parking Lot)
- 235 Wolverine Trl., Mill Spring, NC 28756
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Rutherford County
Mountains Branch Library
- 150 Bills Creek Rd., Lake Lure, NC 28746
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Swain County
Swain County Technology & Training Center
- 45 East Ridge Dr., Bryson City, NC 28713
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Transylvania County: Community Services Building
- 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, NC 28712
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Yancey County
County Annex Facility
- 677 W. U.S. Highway 19E Bypass, Burnsville, NC 28714
- Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
