HEARTS Georgia FAQs

The State of Georgia is providing a temporary sheltering 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. 

  • What is HEARTS Georgia?

    The State of Georgia is providing a temporary sheltering 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. 

  • Who is providing this service? 

    Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) is working to provide emergency shelter to individuals and families whose homes were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Helene.

  • How long does the program last? 

    This is a temporary program that may last up to 6 months with a focus on transitioning survivors into sustainable housing.

  • How do I know if I’m eligible? 

    Survivors must have resided in a primary residence that was majorly damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Helene. If your home has been deemed habitable, you are not eligible for emergency sheltering. Program recipients must follow all laws and emergency sheltering program requirements and rules provided by the State of Georgia. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the facility. 

  • Who can apply for HEARTS Georgia?

    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
  • Do survivors need to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA for sheltering provided by the State of Georgia? 

    Yes, survivors first apply with FEMA for disaster assistance to be eligible for the Program. The State of Georgia will determine the home is majorly damaged, destroyed or not habitable and that it was the owners or renters pre-disaster primary residence.

  • What types of shelters are available through the Program? 

    HEARTS Georgia will provide hotel or motel rooms to survivors who are unable to locate a habitable residence. 

  • If a survivor is eligible for the Program, are they eligible for other types of FEMA assistance? 

    Yes, survivors who apply for FEMA disaster assistance to access the State's Program may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance, including funding for home repair and loss of personal property.

  • How do survivors sign up for the Program? 

    Survivors must first apply with FEMA for disaster assistance. If survivors need sheltering, they may visit the HEARTS Georgia Program link at www.gema.georgia.gov.