HEARTS Georgia

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is launching HEARTS Georgia (Housing Emergency Assistance and Recovery Through Sheltering), a Non-congregate and temporary shelter program available to survivors whose residences were majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed not habitable in one of the 61 counties federally declared for FEMA's Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs as a result of Hurricane Helene on September 24-October 30, 2024. The program will provide emergency sheltering in hotels or motels to survivors who are unable to locate rental homes or apartments and agree to the terms and conditions of the program. 

This program is available to Georgia residents who need emergency sheltering assistance. Survivors must first apply to FEMA for Individual Assistance to be considered for the State of Georgia Hurricane Helene temporary sheltering program. FEMA and GEMA/HS are coordinating to ensure there are no duplication of benefits in providing emergency sheltering. 

Eligibility 

The Program is for survivors from the counties impacted by Hurricane Helene and declared for both FEMA Individual and Public Assistance. 

To be eligible for the State of Georgia Sheltering Program, survivors must:

• Be registered with FEMA
• Be seeking shelter in their eligible county
• Have a home that is majorly damaged, destroyed, or not habitable
• Agree to the program terms

Registration

To apply in English, visit here.
To apply in Spanish, visit here.

This is a temporary program that may last up to 6 months with a focus on transitioning survivors into sustainable housing. Hearts Georgia will provide hotel or motel rooms to survivors who are unable to locate a habitable residence. Survivors must first apply with FEMA for disaster assistance. For more information, please call the HEARTS Georgia Program Contact Center at 833-575-4411 or visit the FAQs here. Individuals may also email GEMA/HS's Community Recovery Department at [email protected] for more details.