Attribution: Karl Tapales/Moment via Getty Images
Use Local and Federal Resources to Find Temporary Housing After a Hurricane
Being displaced during and after a hurricane in the Tampa, Florida, area, can be life-altering, especially if you have nowhere to go. Floodwaters and high winds can damage your home so severely, that you may not be able to live in it for days, weeks, or months after the hurricane has passed. Finding housing during natural disasters can be challenging and daunting, especially if whole communities have been hit hard and need housing.
Renting may prove challenging for those facing financial difficulties or who don't have good credit. In addition, families and those with pets displaced by a hurricane often have the hardest time finding temporary housing during a natural disaster. Fortunately, private, local, state, and federal organizations have resources to help everyone find temporary housing during and after a hurricane.
Local Shelters
When the City of Tampa, Florida, or other Tampa Bay Counties issue an evacuation order, many local businesses open their doors to feed and shelter people on a short-term basis. Local shelters may include faith-based organizations and schools, while animal shelters often open their doors to house pets. Most local shelters provide food, water, and bathroom access for a set period before, during, and directly after the storm, but you'll need to move after the shelter's approved deadline. Typically these local shelters open before the hurricane and stay open a few days after, depending on the damage from the storm.
Other local post-hurricane resources include:
- If you're in need of a temporary cool place from the heat and a cooked meal, Feeding Tampa Bay, Causeway Center is available.
- Hillsborough County also has PODs, Comfort Stations, and Multi-Agency Resource centers available.
- The City of St. Pete has Comfort and Charging Stations.
Red Cross Shelters
The Red Cross offers pre-storm and post-storm evacuation shelters. Pre-storm evacuation shelters provide people with short-term relief from the storm, usually 12 to 72 hours until the storm moves through. If available, the Red Cross also provides post-storm shelters for eligible people and families.
These temporary shelters are open for residents who've been evacuated and can't immediately return home due to unsafe conditions. Post-storm shelters provide cots, blankets, pillows, food, showers, and restroom facilities for a select amount of time. In addition, the Red Cross provides health services and mental health counseling as part of their disaster relief services.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Housing Assistance
FEMA is a federal organization that helps with financial and housing needs for those displaced by a hurricane or other natural disaster. Residents with unmet needs for food, clothing, and shelter can apply for individual assistance and may receive an initial sum of $750 without inspection. If you are staying in your car, with friends, or in a shelter, anywhere that's not your home, you can apply for more FEMA aid. Apply online for disaster relief funding.
Transitional Housing
If you're waiting for homeowner's insurance money or additional FEMA aid, you can move into a local hotel or motel that offers long-term rental. Many of these hotels have kitchenettes with refrigerators and stoves so you can buy and store food and cook meals for your family. Having a kitchenette helps offset the expense of eating out for every meal. If possible, find hotels with laundry rooms, business centers, and workout rooms to help keep some of the semblance of a normal routine in your life.
Families may feel cramped living temporarily in a one or two-bedroom hotel room. Having the kids go to school can help them transition into normal life after a hurricane. In addition, you can take advantage of free mental health resources to help overcome the grief and shock of losing your home, even if it is temporary.
Free Airbnb Temporary Housing
During natural disasters, many Airbnb owners open their listings for free to displaced residents. For a limited time, Airbnb.org is offering free temporary housing for those displaced by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Airbnb is working with partners such as the United Way, the Global Empowerment Mission, and the Florida United Methodist Conference along with generous Airbnb hosts to provide comfortable, clean, and secure housing. Florida residents can contact 211.org for more information on Airbnb's free temporary housing.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation is a comprehensive site to find housing and other hurricane-related resources. You'll find resources for disaster relief, temporary housing, financial aid for home repairs, and food resources. Resources include contacts with organizations like the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, the United Way of Florida, and the Florida Disaster Fund. For low-income households, you can also utilize the resources provided by the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) to find affordable housing.
FEMA Assistance for Floridians
FEMA may have funds for continued housing for displaced residents due to current hurricanes. Disaster assistance may cover funds for basic home repair, money for temporary rental housing, and serious needs. Depending on the situation, FEMA Assistance for Floridians may provide money for rental assistance, accessibility repairs, private road repairs, and hazard mitigation services. FEMA supplies funds for:
- Serious needs: This money helps pay for lifesaving food, medical prescriptions, infant formula, and fuel for necessary transportation.
- Displacement funds: Often offered as a one-time payment, these funds help with immediate housing needs like staying in a hotel or supplement money when staying with friends or family.
- Rental assistance: The initial payment for FEMA's rental assistance program may cover up to two months of rent. After that time, you'll need to request continued rental assistance
- Childcare costs: Many displaced residents need financial help with childcare costs.
Find Temporary Housing After a Hurricane
This hurricane season has been busy and catastrophic for many residents living in the Tampa area and throughout the Southeastern United States. Private and government agencies understand the need for families to find immediate shelter, food, water, and medical supplies during and after a hurricane. Finding shelter after a natural disaster is paramount for you and your family's safety and mental health. From shelter during the storm to post-storm temporary housing needs, your local, state, and federal organizations are here to help. Contact the Hillsborough County Disaster Resources Center for more information. Or call the FEMA hotline at 800-621-3362. We are #TampaStrong.