Numerous hurricane survivors remain in limbo, dependent on FEMA’s temporary housing aid.

Caught in a permit backlog, many are still unable to start rebuilding their homes.

Yet, they now face an unexpected deadline that has taken them by surprise.

With spring break underway, Plaza Beach Hotel’s rooms are fully booked, leaving dozens of guests uncertain about their stay’s duration.

“Every two weeks, you’re on tenterhooks, wondering if you’ll still have a place to stay. It’s been mentally exhausting,” Bobby Sather explained to WFLA.

The storms ravaged Sather’s home, but FEMA’s Temporary Shelter Assistance program has kept him going.

“For a long-term fix, I’d get a storage unit for my belongings,” Sather said. “If the weather turned nasty, I’d stay there until it passed.”

Robert Czyszczon, Plaza Beach Hotel’s owner, reserved all rooms for storm survivors. However, this week, FEMA issued a shocking notice, mandating several victims to vacate yesterday, March 13.

Many will be abruptly displaced without alternative accommodation.

“…those with extensions until the 24th had the rug pulled out from under them. Now they must leave [today]  instead of the 24th as they expected,” Czyszczon told WFLA.

“It’s like a game of chance, with no clue how the dice will fall,” he added.

The FEMA deadline carries an additional twist.

Wendy Athens lamented, “We’re clueless about where we’ll be in two weeks or where we’ll go when FEMA funds dry up.”

Meanwhile, Sather clings to memories and hope while rebuilding his life.

“They’re etched in my mind, but I can’t hold them in my hands,” he said.

FEMA addressed the deadline concerns, stating: “Transitional Sheltering Assistance is a short-term initiative to aid survivors in moving to permanent housing.”

Six households had to check out this week, no longer meeting TSA eligibility. They received 7-day ineligibility notices. As of today, 42 households remain eligible and housed at this hotel. 

FEMA also provided details on Transitional Sheltering Assistance:

“The program supports Floridians displaced by Hurricanes Helene or Milton across 52 counties and Miccosukee Tribe members. Requested by Florida and approved on Oct. 15 for both hurricanes, TSA currently shelters over 8,000 households (19,966 individuals) in hotels and motels across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia as of March 10. Every 14 days, FEMA reassesses applicants’ eligibility for continued TSA. Those meeting criteria may stay. Eligible applicants can select any participating TSA lodging with vacancies. FEMA offers approved facility lists on femaevachotels.com, lodging info on disasterassistance.gov, and assistance via the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.”

Applicants become ineligible for TSA if:

• A FEMA inspection deems their pre-disaster primary residence safe. 
• The registered home isn’t their primary residence. 
• They’re linked to another applicant receiving FEMA aid. 
• Inspectors couldn’t complete a home inspection after three contact attempts or missed appointments. 
• They received FEMA rental assistance. 
• Their insurance covers Additional Living Expenses or Loss of Use, or they haven’t proven otherwise. 
• They breach TSA Terms and Conditions. 
• They reported no damage to their primary residence during application.

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