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ATLANTA, Ga. (WALB) - It was announced on Wednesday that the application period for Hurricane Helene survivors will close next month.

The application period for the HEARTS (Housing Emergency Assistance and Recovery Through Sheltering) Georgia program will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, according to the , (GEMA/HS).

New applications will no longer be accepted after the deadline, however, the program will continue to assist approved participants through September 2025.

The HEARTS Georgia program was first established in response to the historic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The state-run, first-of-its-kind program provided temporary, non-congregate sheltering options, including hotels, motels, travel trailers, and RVs, for survivors whose primary residences were significantly damaged, destroyed, or deemed uninhabitable, according to GEMA/HS.

The program serves individuals in 61 counties that were federally declared by FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs.

“HEARTS Georgia was designed to bridge the gap between emergency shelter and permanent housing, helping Georgians take the next step toward long-term recovery,” said GEMA/HS.

To qualify for HEARTS Georgia assistance, applicants must do the following:

• Be registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.
• Reside in one of the 61 federally declared counties.
• Have a primary residence that was majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed uninhabitable.
• Agree to comply with all program rules and requirements.

Applications will remain open until June 15 at 11:59 p.m., and eligible residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at gema.georgia.gov/hearts-georgia.

For questions or assistance, contact the HEARTS Georgia Program Contact Center at 833-575-4411 or email the GEMA/HS Community Recovery Department at [email protected].

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