Finding shelter is crucial during times of disaster, but you are not alone. There are accessible safe options, whether staying with family or friends, booking a hotel room, or seeking refuge in a mass shelter. Remember, your safety and wellbeing come first, and support is available to help you through this.
Immediate: Find a Safe Place to Go
• As part of emergency preparedness, go over your contacts and identify friends or family that would be outside of your immediately affected area who can offer temporary shelter.
• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to talk with someone in person for guidance or information. To find a center near you, use the DRC Locator available at fema.gov or text DRC and your ZIP Code to 43362. Example: DRC 01234.
• Search for open shelters near you by texting SHELTER and your ZIP Code to 43362. Example: Shelter 01234.
• Contact your local American Red Cross to get help with: temporary sheltering/housing, mental health assistance, financial assistance and health services. Call (206) 323-2345.
Intermediate: Find a Safe Place to Stay
FEMA Disaster Relief and Recovery for Housing
Lodging Expense Reimbursement
Money to reimburse for hotels, motels, or other short-term lodging if you are temporarily displaced by the disaster.
Who May Be Eligible? A disaster survivor:
• Who stayed in a hotel, motel, or other short-term lodging while displaced from their primary residence
Rental Assistance
Funds may be available for eligible survivors who need a place to temporarily live while their home is repaired, or until they secure permanent housing.
Who May Be Eligible? A disaster survivor:
• Whose home is unlivable as a result of the disaster
• Who agrees to relocate
• Whose housing needs are not covered by insurance
Transitional Sheltering Assistance
If approved for the disaster, FEMA may provide temporary sheltering using participating hotels for eligible disaster survivors.
Who May Be Eligible? A disaster survivor:
• Who is displaced and taking refuge in emergency shelter locations
• Whose home is unlivable or inaccessible due to the disaster
The following have been identified as potential shelter sites by Pierce County's Dept of Emergency Management:
On-Island Shelter Sites:
Anderson Island Elementary School
Anderson Island Archival Building
American Legion Community Center (event dependent)
Mainland Shelter Sites:
Steilacoom
Steilacoom High School
Steilacoom Community Center
Dupont
Pioneer Middle School - Preferred location for family and friends reception center (FFRC) if reunification needed
Key Peninsula
Longbranch Improvement Club
Key Peninsula Civic Center
Fox Island
Nichols Community Center
Source: disasterassistance.gov, redcross.org, fema.gov
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