FEMA updates commissioners on temporary housing: sales, recertification, violations and limited remaining placements

FEMA updated Buncombe County commissioners on the status of its temporary housing program for survivors of Hurricane Helene, describing placements, sales, recertification and the process for handling units after they leave FEMA oversight.

Ina Chan, FEMA’s Individual Assistance Branch Director for the event, said the agency has provided a mix of direct housing options and financial rental assistance since the disaster. Chan reported that, in Buncombe County, FEMA sheltered 83 households in temporary housing; 51 of those households have since returned to repaired or rebuilt dwellings or moved into other permanent housing. “We have housed in Buncombe County 83 households. Of those, 51 of them have returned to their damaged dwelling,” Chan said.

Chan described the sales and donation process for FEMA units. Nine occupants have purchased FEMA units they were living in; 11 additional occupants were participating in the sales program; 21 survivors remained in the temporary housing program but 32 Buncombe residents were identified as still in FEMA temporary housing at the time of the briefing (20 owners and 12 renters). FEMA has worked with nonprofit and volunteer agencies to secure purchases on behalf of applicants who otherwise lacked funds to buy units.

Chan explained how licensing violations are handled and the consequences for occupants who breach the license agreement. “When they violate their licensing agreement, what does that mean? … We've had drugs. We've had, prostitution happen. ... Even to as simple as not maintaining and keeping the unit clean, we've had bug infestation because people are just trashing it,” Chan said, describing the range of violations FEMA has encountered. Individuals found to be in violation are issued a warning, given time to correct the issue and, if noncompliant, issued a notice to surrender the unit; Chan emphasized FEMA does not use local eviction procedures and said cases can be referred to the Department of Justice under federal rules.

FEMA said its normal recertification of continued housing need occurs every 30 days and noted that for this event the state requested a 14‑day recertification cadence to provide extra support and oversight. FEMA staff described several barriers survivors face when moving from temporary housing to permanent solutions, including moving costs for manufactured units (which FEMA estimated could range in the low five figures), pad lease expenses at commercial parks, and qualifying for HUD or USDA housing programs after income and housing status have changed.

Chan also described national disposal processes for units no longer needed locally. After units are removed from local staging, they typically enter General Services Administration (GSA) sales; FEMA staff said a federal government shutdown had paused GSA sales at the time of the briefing. Donations of units to local entities remain constrained by federal rules and, even when donations are permitted, local entities must assume maintenance, insurance and pad-lease responsibilities.

FEMA told commissioners that the temporary housing program’s scheduled end date is March 2026 and that county officials and volunteer agencies continue to work to secure outcomes for the small number of survivors who remain in temporary housing; Chan said only a few households were expected to remain in FEMA housing into the final months of the program if transitions proceed as planned.

Commissioners asked questions about whether the county could retain units for local use; Chan said federal rules and current administration policy limited donation options and that most surplus units will move to GSA sales when federal processes resume.