FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Now Available In Cocke County
If you were displaced from your home due to the recent flood and are still living in a temporary space, there is some help available to you. FEMA says that temporary housing is now available in the flood ravaged counties, including Cocke and Greene Counties. The assistance is called Direct Temporary Housing and eligible families will be able to live in these units for up to 18 months until April 2, 2026.
There are three different types of Direct Temporary Housing. First is Direct Lease. This is where FEMA leases existing, ready-to-occupy residential properties like vacation rentals, second homes, single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses and uses those properties as temporary housing.
Second are MultiFamily Lease and Repair properties. FEMA funds the repair or improvement of existing, vacant multifamily rental properties that eligible applicants can use for temporary housing. Properties must be repairable within 120 days once FEMA identifies them for the program. All repairs must comply with local building codes, permitting and inspection requirements. These units need to be in close proximity to the disaster affected area and provide complete and independent living facilities including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation.
Finally, there are transportable Temporary housing units/Manufactured Homes. With this type of temporary housing, FEMA places a travel trailer or manufactured housing unit on a private site or commercial park, or coordinates with state and local officials to construct group sites for multiple units. Each unit has one to three bedrooms, depending on the number of household members. Units are fully furnished, with a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, beds, lights, couch, table and chairs. These units take a little more time to set up. FEMA stores these units in a nearby location so they are ready for survivors as soon as possible.
If you would like to apply for Direct Temporary Housing, contact a FEMA representative at the Disaster Recovery Center in Newport. Other ways to apply include going to the website DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA App or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.