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. Most financial assistance for short-term housing is being handled through FEMA. If you are still displaced due to the hurricanes and need more help, make sure to update your FEMA application with your latest situation. If you were denied assistance and disagree with FEMA’s decision, you can file an appeal.

If you are a homeowner looking for information on programs to help you repair your property, see our Homeowner Recovery Page.

FEMA Transitional Sheltering 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. If FEMA sent you a letter that you must move out of your hotel, but your home is not ready yet, you may need to update your info and file an appeal. Click here for details.

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.