South Asheville News

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to provide a 21-day notice for victims of Hurricane Helene before they are required to leave their hotel accommodations under the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program.

Earlier this week, more than 1,200 residents of Western North Carolina, affected by the storm, were asked to vacate their temporary hotel housing with less than 24-hour notice. This sudden eviction occurred amid challenging weather conditions, leaving many without sufficient time to arrange alternative housing.

Edwards met with FEMA officials to address what he described as a "catastrophic failure" and demanded that FEMA offer greater notice to storm victims. He emphasized the need for these individuals to have an opportunity to resolve issues with their FEMA applications or secure other housing options before being forced out of their hotel rooms.

Following Edwards' meeting with top FEMA officials, it was agreed that all storm victims utilizing the TSA program will now receive a 21-day notice before being expected to vacate hotels.

In his statement, Edwards said, “Many Western North Carolinians relying on FEMA’s hotel program don’t have a home to go back to, and it is inhumane to expect these folks to leave the only safe and warm shelter available with only a few days or a week’s notice. The victims of Helene deserve better from the federal government."

He continued, “I demanded that FEMA provide more notice so that no one else is taken by surprise and asked to leave with nowhere to go. FEMA’s agreement to provide 21-days’ notice is an overdue step to return humanity to the recovery process."

Edwards also highlighted the difficulties faced by those displaced in mountainous regions during inclement weather: “Our mountains can be a scary place when you don’t have somewhere safe and warm to stay, but I’m committed to making sure no one else displaced by Hurricane Helene has to know what that feels like moving forward."

He urged anyone who receives less than 21-days' notice or lacks secure housing upon being told they must leave their hotel accommodation, "to call my dedicated hotline at 223-FIX-FEMA and my staff will advocate on their behalf with FEMA.”