FEMA to provide direct temporary housing and other options in SWFL counties

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FILE – In this Oct. 5, 2017 file photo, Department of Homeland Security personnel deliver supplies to Santa Ana community residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Guayama, Puerto Rico. Federal authorities said Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, that they have arrested two former officials of the Federal Emergency Management Authority and the former president of a major disaster relief contractor, accusing them of bribery and fraud in the efforts to restore electricity to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)

FEMA now says it will provide direct temporary housing in Southwest Florida counties affected by Hurricane Ian.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made an announcement on Fort Myers Beach about the temporary housing.

“Now, FEMA’s direct housing program will not be able to meet every household’s needs. So I’m also announcing a state-lead housing mission to provide travel trailers and recreational vehicles to impacted Floridians who may not be eligible for FEMA’s programs,” DeSantis said. “Our goal with these programs is for families to live on their own properties if they so choose while repairs to their homes are performed.”

FEMA said it previously approved rental assistance but it determined it was insufficient to meet the housing need because of a lack of available housing resources.

“FEMA is committed to helping Hurricane Ian survivors get a safe roof over their heads to jumpstart their recovery as quickly as possible,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom McCool. “To assist these households, FEMA is providing travel trailers and larger manufactured housing units to eligible households in four counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto and Lee.”

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