TAMPA, Fla. — The Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program has been activated by the State of Florida, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for impacted residents in counties affected by Hurricane Ian, in an announcement made today by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie.
Counties included in TSA Program:
Charlotte County Collier County DeSoto County Flagler County Hardee County Highlands County Hillsborough County Lake County Lee County Manatee County Orange County Osceola County Pinellas County Polk County Putnam County Sarasota County Seminole County St. Johns County Volusia County
“Many Floridians lost their homes in the blink of an eye,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie.
“Activating the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program is just another step in the long line of actions we will continue to take to ensure we are easing Floridians’ recovery processes as much as possible. We encourage every impacted resident to apply for Individual Assistance and every eligible individual to utilize TSA,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie.
Residents of affected counties who have sought for disaster aid and are eligible may be allowed to stay in a hotel or motel, paid for by FEMA.
If they are unable to return home and their housing requirements cannot be satisfied by insurance, shelters, or rental aid offered by FEMA or another organization, they may be eligible for TSA (federal, state or nonprofit).
Eligible individuals can apply for FEMA assistance online, calling the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362, or using the FEMA mobile app.
Depending on the method of contact they chose when applying for help, people will be informed of their eligibility via an automated phone call, text message, and/or email.
Survivors will be informed by FEMA seven days before the checkout date when their eligibility expires. TSA is only available at participating hotels in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.
Daily hours of operation for the following DRCs are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; seven days a week.
Charlotte County
Home Depot (Mobile DRC)
- 12621 S. McCall Rd. Port Charlotte, FL 33981
Collier County
Veterans Community Park
- 1895 Veterans Park Dr. Naples, FL 34109
Hardee County
Wauchula Civic Center
- 515 Civic Center Dr., Wauchula, FL 33873
Lee County
Fort Myers DMS Building
- 2295 Victoria Ave. Fort Myers, FL 33901
Lakes Regional Library
- 15290 Bass Road Fort Myers, FL 33919
Orange County
Barnett Park
- 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808
Osceola County
Hart Memorial Central Library
- 211 E. Dakin Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Sarasota County
Shannon Staub Library
- 4675 Career Lane North Port, FL 34289
Seminole County
Seminole State College - Barbara Miller Automotive Center
- 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773
Pok County
W.H. Stuart Center
- 1702 S. Holland Pkwy, Bartow, FL 33830