SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEMA WILL EXTEND ‘TRANSITIONAL SHELTERING ASSISTANCE’ PROGRAM AN ADDITIONAL 14 DAYS FOR THOSE DISPLACED AFTER SANDY- RENEWS CALL FOR LONGER TERM EXTENSION
FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program Was Set to Expire February 10th; Program Provides Individuals Displaced by Sandy Access to Temporary Shelter While Permanent Homes and Dwellings are Repaired
Earlier in the Month, Schumer Called for Long Term Extension of TSA Program; Announces Benefits to Extend Through February 24th And Says He Will Continue to Push for Longer Term Extension
Schumer: This is Good News But TSA Program Should Be Extended Until Late Springtime
On Friday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer nnounced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended their Temporary Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program an additional two weeks and will expire on February 24th. TSA benefits provide those displaced by Superstorm Sandy to stay in hotel rooms while they work to secure permanent shelter and repair their homes. Earlier in the month, Schumer called on FEMA to extend the TSA program past the standard two week extension to mid-spring, when temperatures should be warmer. Schumer today applauded FEMA for extending the TSA program an additional two weeks but noted that a long-term extension would be ideal.
“This extension is good news for New Yorkers displaced after Sandy, but FEMA should remove the specter of eviction during the winter months entirely by extending these benefits through the spring,” said Schumer. “These short-term extensions create an unnecessary emotional burden on individuals living in hotels who live in fear every two weeks of being evicted and, although I applaud FEMA for the extension, I will continue to fight for a more long-term extension.”
According to FEMA, the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program allows eligible survivors who are in shelters and cannot return to their homes due to damages caused by Hurricane Sandy to stay in participating hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations are available.