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After Hurricane Matthew, FEMA-assisted stays in local motels were provided. That service ends January 7, 2017, though it could be extended.

Housing was the area that Matthew had the biggest impact, with an estimated 7,000 structures being effected. The Transitional Shelter Assistance program is used to “move people out of emergency shelters before they move on to more permanent residences.” However, there are not enough affordable homes for everyone to move into.

There were 725 people in Lumberton, amounting to 260 families, which were displaced by the storm. With the motel service scheduled to end in less than a week, there are still 81 families living in motels. FEMA has referred people to multiple housing options, but there are less than a dozen homes for rent in the Lumberton area on those sites.