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A cottage built on the Mississippi Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, as part of “Katrina Cottage” project. The cottages were provided by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency as a long-term temporary housing solution for thousands of displaced families.

Planning for temporary housing assistance can be one of the most difficult aspects of preparing for a natural disaster due to the unpredictability of a storm’s impact on a locality’s housing stock. Likewise, each community has unique risks and resources when it comes to temporary housing — there is no “one-sized-fits-all” approach.

NGOs, non-profits and other local and national disaster relief organizations play a key role in providing displaced residents with temporary housing facilities or the materials to repair their damaged homes. Use these planning tips to work effectively with other organizations and with local, state and federal government agencies to get residents into permanent living situations as soon as possible after a disaster subsides.

Understand local, state and federal government disaster housing assistance plans.

• Local NGOs work closely with both FEMA and the local government to coordinate efforts, but it’s important to be familiar with the eligibility requirements and types of assistance provided by state and federal programs to ensure displaced residents are placed on the fastest route to permanent housing.
• Review federal and state assistance plans periodically to stay up-to-date.

Bring local housing authorities and realty groups into your sheltering discussions.

• Work with realty agencies and local housing authorities to find available apartments and arrange for discounted rent.
• Ensure they are invited to your meetings with other stakeholder groups, including local, state and federal agencies and other volunteer organizations.

Consider joining your local disaster housing recovery task force (if your locality has one).

• A disaster housing task force brings representatives from NGOs, private sector stakeholders and government agencies to the same table to develop a plan and create a database of potential disaster temporary housing options.
• During disaster response, the task force can help break down communications barriers between government agencies and NGOs that can prevent information sharing regarding specific individuals.

Be prepared for obstacles providing assistance to renters.

• Landlords can be difficult to deal with, and oftentimes don’t want to put in the money, time or resources to rebuild rental properties. Dedicate resources and have a plan specifically for renters, who are often most in need of assistance but don’t have access to as many available federal or state resources.

Work with local, state and federal housing agencies to get a list of vacancies.

• Get discounts if you can, and work with FEMA to pay for it.
• Maintain an updated list with contact information so you can quickly check on availability during an event.

Identify interim housing resources in your community.

• Reach out to potential housing facilities to check on availability and willingness to assist after a natural disaster.
• Work with local emergency management to compile a database of available resources that includes contact information. Interim housing resources should be identified within your locality and in surrounding communities, and can include schools, community centers, churches, colleges/universities, vacant rental units, seasonal properties, manufactured homes, foreclosed properties and more.