ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Have a house for lease? FEMA may be interested. The agency, which is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security, is looking for properties in 25 North Carolina counties to house survivors of Tropical Storm Helene.
Direct Lease is a form of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance that allows FEMA to lease existing, ready-to-occupy residential properties for survivors whose temporary housing needs cannot be met with other forms of assistance. FEMA will pay the property management company/vendor the cost of rent, while the survivor is responsible for utility costs and other expenses not covered in the lease.
Properties are needed in the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.
Counties and property management companies may find the Direct Lease solicitation here. The solicitation is active until Monday, Jan. 13.
To date, more than 5,600 households are using Transitional Sheltering Assistance hotels and motels, according to a FEMA news release. Ninety-three households have been placed in temporary housing units provided by FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance.
FEMA has also contracted with 18 commercial parks to be able to place units and the agency is working with 16 other parks for potential contracting purposes.