Tampa, Florida, receives abundant sunshine annually, making it an excellent place to live and work. However, given its coastal location and topography, the city is significantly vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, and other natural hazards, sometimes forcing residents to seek disaster relief.
Preparing your home for a storm or hurricane is imperative. However, even the most disaster-proof homes might not withstand severe storms. Finding temporary housing and rentals can help you and your family remain safe and comfortable after a storm. Follow these tips to find temporary housing assistance in Tampa, Florida, after a hurricane.
Contact Emergency Housing Services
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A storm can leave your home uninhabitable, forcing you to seek alternative accommodation options for you and your family. Finding temporary housing while you clean or repair your home is critical to ensuring your safety and comfort. However, the aftermath of a disaster can be overwhelming for renters and homeowners. You might never know where to start or go, leaving you and your family stranded. Fortunately, you can dial a designated emergency number to locate emergency housing in Tampa.
Disaster survivors in Tampa, Florida, can dial 211 for assistance with finding emergency housing after a storm. This toll-free emergency number is available to disaster victims in most parts of the country, including Tampa. Conversely, you can send a text message with your ZIP code to 43362 for information on temporary housing and rentals in Tampa. The highly-trained staff is on standby 24/7 to assist you in finding safe and comfortable rentals in your area after a storm.
Go to a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
If you cannot contact emergency services or search online, consider visiting a disaster recovery center for more information on temporary housing and rentals. Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, abbreviated as FEMA, The City of Tampa has several disaster recovery centers offering residents disaster relief and recovery, including temporary housing. You can use the FEMA DRC locator to find the nearest disaster recovery center and consult an official for guidance.
FEMA offers temporary housing and rental assistance to all disaster victims in Tampa and the rest of the country. The agency has several programs to help you find safe and comfortable rentals if you cannot live in your home after a storm while repairs are ongoing at your residence. You may have to apply for continued temporary housing assistance. The two main emergency housing assistance programs offered to disaster victims and survivors by FEMA include the following:
Displacement Assistance
Displacement assistance is a FEMA program that offers disaster survivors and displaced persons with money up-front to address their immediate housing needs. It extends beyond temporary rentals. Depending on the storm's severity and your eligibility, FEMA may give you funds to stay with family or for short-term hotel stays until the storm subsides and you repair your home. While it is a one-time payment, you can apply for additional help if you still need housing assistance.
Rental Assistance
FEMA also offers temporary rental assistance to storm survivors in Tampa. This program allows renters and homeowners to pay for temporary housing while repairs are ongoing or you identify a permanent residence. You will receive a grant from FEMA to cover your stay for up to two months. However, you can apply for continued rental assistance if you still need housing. In any case, FEMA focuses on helping survivors develop a long-term housing plan when rental support ends.
Get Assistance From the Red Cross of Tampa
While many Tampa residents consider FEMA the ultimate solution for temporary housing after a storm, non-profit humanitarian organizations also exist. You can count on an organization like the Red Cross of Tampa to find safe and comfortable housing after a storm. The organization works closely with federal agencies like FEMA to provide emergency housing assistance and disaster relief during natural catastrophes.
Sometimes, FEMA might get numerous applications for assistance, leaving them overwhelmed. The Red Cross of Tampa can help alleviate the burden on FEMA by providing temporary housing and rental solutions to victims and survivors. They have temporary shelters across the city, offering essential services like safe accommodation, meals and clean water, healthcare services, spiritual care, and emotional support. However, you may have to bring personal items like bedding, medications, and clothing to ensure a comfortable stay.
Locate a Community Shelter in Tampa
Staying in a community shelter in Tampa might be a practical solution to addressing your housing needs after a disaster. Community mass shelters are transitional and offer critical services to help you and your family stay safe and comfortable after a storm. Disaster survivors receive mass care and emergency services, including accommodation, feeding, health support, emergency supplies, and reunification.
The good news is that Tampa has several community shelters that offer temporary housing. You can find your nearest shelter in Tampa by texting the word SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. Alternatively, download the FEMA mobile app to locate a community shelter near you.
Search Online for Temporary Housing
An online search is among the quickest ways of finding temporary housing and rentals in Tampa after a storm. However, the practicality of this method depends on service availability. A severe storm might cause a network outage, resulting in connectivity issues and service downtime.
You can search for local rental properties in the area, hotel vacancies, or mobile housing options like RVs.
Keep Your Family Safe After a Storm
Finding a safe and comfortable rental after a storm is critical to your well-being. You may be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or lost. Take a deep breath, you'll get through this. We are #TampaStrong.