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FEMA and the government of Puerto Rico announced today that Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is available to Puerto Ricans who are unable to return to their homes because they are displaced as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This is one of several short-term housing options being offered to meet the demand for post-storm safe housing. Transitional Sheltering Assistance allows eligible applicants to shelter in a hotel or motel, for a limited period of time, as a bridge to intermediate and longer-term housing. FEMA pays all costs for rooms and taxes through direct payments to participating hotels and motels.
Transitional Sheltering Assistance allows eligible applicants to shelter in a hotel or motel, for a limited period of time, as a bridge to intermediate and longer-term housing. FEMA pays all costs for rooms and taxes through direct payments to participating hotels and motels.
For eligible applicants currently on Puerto Rico:
- Consistent with the Governor’s request, FEMA will prioritize placements in the TSA approved hotels and motels, for the people who are currently residing in emergency shelters in order to target those most in need.
- FEMA will be providing transportation to select locations in the Continental United States, where you will be connected with support services and lodging. FEMA will not provide any additional transportation within the Continental United States and cannot provide reimbursement for travel arrangements you may have already made.
- Transportation also will be provided for return back to Puerto Rico.
- Applicants should expect that it may take several weeks to arrange transportation, given the limited availability of commercial flights.
For eligible applicants currently in the Continental United States:
- Please update FEMA with current information by contacting 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
- Eligible applicants may stay at any participating hotel.
- FEMA will not reimburse for travel that already occurred, or travel to a participating hotel within the Continental United States.
- Applicants should expect that it may take approximately one week before hotels have the information necessary for check in.
- Applicants are responsible for identifying a participating hotel and checking for availability.
This is one of several short-term housing options being offered to meet the demand for post-storm safe housing. In order to meet the demand for safe housing, these forms of assistance are provided directly to disaster survivors, or through financial grants to assist survivors with their housing needs. Survivors first need to register with FEMA to determine their eligibility for any available federal assistance online at http://disasterassistance.gov, by calling toll-free (800) 621-3362 (voice 711/VRS). TTY call (800) 462-7585, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find an open DRC, survivors may phone their municipality. DRCs are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
October 30, 2017 Press Release
Transitional Shelter Assistance