Navigating FEMA Continued Temporary Housing Assistance (CTHA)

Definition: Continued Temporary Housing Assistance. Additional FEMA grant support for rent and utilities provided in 90-day increments up to 18 months.

In Practice: Survivors unable to return home apply for CTHA after their initial FEMA rental assistance is exhausted.

Why It Matters: It provides a crucial bridge to long-term housing solutions like HUD CDBG-DR.

Definition: The 40th percentile of gross rents for standard quality units within a metropolitan area or non-metropolitan county, published by HUD.

In Practice: FEMA calculates CTHA awards based on the lesser of the survivor's actual rent or the HUD FMR for their area.

Why It Matters: Understanding FMR helps survivors budget and anticipate the maximum housing assistance they can receive.

Continued Temporary Housing Assistance (CTHA) is additional grant support for rents and utilities for eligible disaster survivors who are still unable to live in their home due to disaster damage. FEMA assistance is generally temporary, meaning up to 18 months of assistance.

FEMA has updated parts of the Individual Assistance program (with amendment changes published in March 2024) to simplify the documentation required from disaster survivors requesting additional time with temporary housing needs. These changes apply to disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024.

Key Program Updates (Contextual)

• Maximum Assistance Increase: The maximum amount of Individual and Household Program (IHP) financial assistance has been increased to $43,600 for housing assistance and $43,600 for other needs assistance. This increase in the award amount applies to any single emergency or major disaster declared on or after October 1, 2024. This adjustment was based on a 2.5 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the 12-month period ending in August 2024.
• Policy Guide: FEMA has made significant amendments to the Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG 1.1) in an effort to assist disaster survivors more effectively.
• Long-Term Transition: CTHA is expected to be ending soon, and most survivors should be well on their way to either FEMA Transitional Housing Assistance (18 months with extensions) or HUD CDBG-DR Rental Assistance (up to 22 months).

1. Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for CTHA, your household must meet specific conditions:

2. Duration and Financial Assistance Details

Duration

• CTHA is provided in increments of 90 days (3 months).
• If you continue to meet eligibility criteria, you can receive help for up to 18 months from the date the disaster was declared.
• You must renew your application every 3 months for assistance.
• Extensions should be filed 30 days before they end to ensure you do not miss a single month.

Amount of Assistance

The amount you can receive is calculated based on three months of assistance. FEMA pays whichever amount is less:

• Your actual monthly costs for rent and utilities.
• The Fair Market Rent (FMR) value published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for your metro area. HUD Fair Market Rent Documentation System
  HUD Fair Market Rent Calculator by ZIP

Transition to Long-Term Housing

FEMA assistance is temporary. If you are still rebuilding after the 18 months, you may then contact your state's HUD CDBG-DR managers for continued assistance of up to 22 months (which can include mortgage assistance if eligible).

3. Applying for CTHA (First-Time Application)

The application for CTHA requires submitting documentation on your pre-disaster/current housing costs and income. The public reporting burden for this data collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

A. Required Form and Contact Information

The form required is the Application for Continued Temporary Housing (OMB Control No. 1660-0061, Expiration Date: 10/31/2027).

Helpline: If you have questions or need help, call FEMA's Helpline at 1-800-621-3362

Download the FEMA Continued Temporary Housing Assistance Form (pdf).

Process Steps:

• Fill out the form (STEP ONE): Items 1 through 6 (Applicant Name, Disaster No., Registration No., Addresses, Phones) will be auto-generated using your registration information.
• Attach supporting documentation (STEP TWO): Gather and include all required documents.
• Submit the application (STEP THREE): Send the form and supporting documents to FEMA.

B. Required Supporting Documents (First Round)

You must return the form with the following documents:

• Current Lease or Rental Agreement: A copy of your current lease or rental agreement. This document must include the location, amount of rent, length of lease, number of occupants, and signatures of the landlord and tenant.
  Editor's Note: State managers often deny assistance if a lease is signed longer than the typical 3-month grant support period unless proof of ability to make payments without assistance is provided.
• Prior Rental Assistance Usage: Documents (like rent and utility receipts) showing your prior Rental Assistance was used for temporary housing.
• Current Income: Documents showing current income for all household members 18 years and older. You must provide the frequency at which the individual is paid.
  Note on Income: Income includes wages, salaries, interest, dividends, Social Security payments, retirement funds, disability benefits, unemployment compensation, and welfare assistance. Editor's Note: You should show taxable income and demonstrate a plan for more permanent housing. Listing zero income may lead to state managers perceiving a risk and denying assistance.
• Pre-Disaster Housing Costs: Documents showing current housing costs for your pre-disaster home if you are still responsible for them (e.g., mortgage, insurance, utilities).
  Note on Mortgage: If you are still paying a mortgage, insurance, and utilities, you may be able to declare a financial hardship if these costs exceed 30% of your total household income. However, FEMA/HUD assistance is based on the "lesser" amounts, so they may pay your mortgage instead of rent, but they will not pay for both rent and mortgage.

C. Permanent Housing Plan (Recovery Strategy)

On the application (Item 10), you will need to select the plan that best describes your efforts:

4. Applying for Subsequent Assistance (Renewal)

If you have already received CTHA payments (e.g., two payments) and still need more assistance, you will need to complete the Supplemental Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance form.

You must provide two types of documents to demonstrate continued need:

• Proof of Prior CTHA Usage: Documents (like rent receipts) showing your prior CTHA payment was used for temporary housing.
• Progress Toward Permanent Housing Plan: Documents showing progress toward your recovery plan, such as:
• A written statement explaining how long it will take to finish repairs, along with receipts for materials purchased.
• Contractor estimates, agreements, or other documents showing a timeline for finishing repairs or construction.
• Permits for home repairs or construction.
• A written statement from your landlord/property management confirming repairs will be made, including an estimated move-in date (applicable if returning to the pre-disaster home).