Housing Options for Storm Displaced Residents

If you have been displaced due to Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene, here is a list of resources to help you search for short- and long-term housing options.

HOPE Florida Sheltering Assistance

FEMA has approved Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) assistance for Pinellas County, focusing on short-term (6-month) placement and transitioning disaster survivors into longer-term housing. Displaced survivors can apply for State NCS by visiting the Activate Hope website at hopeflorida.com and filling out the Assistance Request Form or by calling the Hope Florida support line at 833-GET-HOPE (833-438-4673).

FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance

Eligible Homeowners and renters who sustained damages or losses from Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene may now receive Transitional Sheltering Assistance when applying for FEMA Individual Assistance.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance provides a place to stay for displaced residents living in shelters, vehicles or at their job for up to 90 days. Eligible applicants will be notified after applying for individual assistance. View more information.

Housing Search Resources

Realtors and property managers are responsible for updating their available listings and do so on their preferred website. The following websites below can be used to identify available housing:

• Florida Housing Search (State Affordable Housing Search Tool)
• Bay Area Apartment Association (See current units available)
• Local realtors can assist you through the Pinellas Realtor Organization
• Housing Search Engines:
  • Airbnb (Disaster Program available)
  • Apartment Finder
  • Apartments.com
  • For Rent
  • Hotpads
  • Hurricane Homes
  • Realtor.com
  • Rent.com
  • RentCafe
  • Trulia
  • VRBO

We encourage you to research each listing independently and contact property managers or realtors for more information. While these resources are designed to assist you in finding housing, Pinellas County does not endorse any specific property or website. This page is intended to serve as a centralized tool to explore available housing options.

Care managers are available to assist seniors with navigating resources and identifying available housing. Please call (727) 447-5845.

Please be aware of scams! Never pay cash, wire money or pay with prepaid cards. Research the property and owner. Search public records to confirm the identity of the owner. Consider using a licensed broker or real estate agent. No matter which search engine you’re using, be wary of listings that lack photos, and/ or have grammatical errors and typos. Be sure to tour the property inside and out. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection provides consumer resources and investigates instances of fraud, including rental scams. Contact Consumer Protection to file a complaint or speak to an investigator. Call (727) 464-6200.