At the request of the state of Florida, FEMA has authorized Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties. Because of a shortage of available housing caused by Hurricane Idalia, FEMA is providing manufactured housing units and travel trailers to eligible households in those counties on a temporary basis while they look for longer term housing.
Housing Options
FEMA may offer Temporary Housing Units such as travel trailers or manufactured housing units. These units are property of FEMA. Occupants may be eligible to stay in these FEMA-provided units for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration while securing a permanent housing plan.
- Furnished manufactured units, ranging from one- to three-bedroom units, are provided based on the applicant’s pre-disaster household composition.
- FEMA may provide units built to Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards for eligible disaster survivors with access and functional needs and provide ramps, platforms steps or other reasonable accommodations for survivors’ accessibility needs.
- Units may be placed on a private site, such as the eligible applicant’s private property, or in a commercial park.
Requirements
All occupants of a unit must agree to comply with FEMA’s rules, terms, and conditions for occupying the unit before moving-in by signing a Temporary Housing Agreement or Revocable License. To remain in the unit, occupants must:
- Demonstrate a continued housing assistance need.
- Actively participate in the FEMA recertification process.
- Show progress toward achieving their permanent housing plan.
- Adhere to FEMA’s rules, terms and conditions and the rules, laws and regulations of the site and jurisdiction where the unit is located.
Move-Out Process
FEMA begins the move-out process when an occupant achieves their permanent housing plan, assistance is terminated, or following a sale or donation of the unit.
When an occupant achieves their permanent housing plan or other housing solution, a move-out inspection will be scheduled with the occupant. FEMA then prepares the units for sales or donations, deactivation or disposal.
FEMA is authorized to sell units to occupants or to donate them to qualified government agencies or voluntary organizations within the period of assistance. Prior to the completion of the sale, occupants must obtain all required permits and inspections by state and local government. Although sales to occupants and donations are not forms of Housing Assistance, they are means for some occupants to achieve a permanent housing plan or alternative housing solution. An occupant’s participation is voluntary. An occupant’s decision not to participate does not affect their eligibility for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance during the period of assistance.
Alternatively, FEMA will begin the deactivation process to dispose of the unit or store it at one of its long-term storage sites.
Duration
FEMA may provide Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration when adequate, alternate housing is unavailable, and the occupants cannot fulfill their permanent housing plan through no fault of their own. FEMA reevaluates occupants’ eligibility on a periodic basis, usually monthly, and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance eligibility is subject to the occupant continuing to meet eligibility requirements. Extensions to the 18-month period could be requested by the state and subject to FEMA approval if extraordinary circumstance are still preventing occupants from attaining a permanent housing solution.