(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) announced that the HEARTS Georgia Program, which has provided temporary shelter for survivors of Hurricane Helene, will conclude on Friday, September 29, 2025. To continue supporting long-term recovery, GEMA/HS will launch the HEARTS Georgia Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) to help survivors navigate resources and rebuild.

The HEARTS Georgia Program was established to support survivors whose homes were majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed uninhabitable in one of the 61 counties federally declared for FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs following Hurricane Helene (September 24 – October 30, 2024). The program offered emergency sheltering in hotels, motels, or travel trailers to eligible survivors who were unable to locate rental housing and agreed to the program’s terms and conditions.

Initially scheduled for six months, the program was extended for an additional six months to ensure survivors continued receiving critical shelter support.

HEARTS Georgia DCMP will connect survivors with trained disaster case managers who will serve as a primary point of contact throughout the recovery process. All households currently participating in the HEARTS Georgia Program will automatically be entered into the Disaster Case Management Program.

In partnership with survivors, disaster case managers will:

  • Assist with navigating FEMA, insurance, SBA, and other recovery processes
  • Help apply for programs and assistance
  • Identify and connect households with community resources
  • Develop home repair or rebuild plans
  • Create individualized recovery plans with actionable steps to reach recovery goals

The DCMP will be available across 63 FEMA Individual Assistance-designated counties, ensuring survivors have access to resources that meet their unique needs.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Household’s primary residence or place of employment is in a county listed in the disaster proclamation
  • Household has unmet disaster-related needs
  • Survivors do not need to be registered with FEMA to participate

Registration information will be announced soon.

For questions or assistance submitting a registration form, survivors may email [email protected]. Visit https://gema.georgia.gov/assistance/hearts-georgia-dcmp for more information. 

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.