Judge extends deadline FEMA housing deadline for Puerto Rican evacuees

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria will be able to stay in hotels on FEMA’s dime a little longer.

A judge made the decision Wednesday that the deadline for families to be out of the hotels could be extended to August 31 while he decides if the funding should continue.

FEMA decided to end its Transitional Housing Assistance program on June 30, until a federal judge stepped in and granted numerous extensions.

There have been several times when families thought they'd be kicked out at the last minute with nowhere to go.

Families are grateful for the extra time and hopeful the federal government does the right thing.

Those advocating for families affected by the storm want to remind people that Puerto Ricans are American Citizens.

"We are in a time of need and we're being mistreated," said Giovanni Bravo Ruiz of Organize Florida.

He said during Hurricane Katrina, victims were allowed 26 months of housing assistance. It's been 11 months since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico.

Many families find it difficult to find affordable housing.

In Central Florida, 100 percent of subsidized or section 8 housing is waitlisted and 96 percent of apartments are full.

The places that are available require hefty fees up front, which isn’t feasible for those who lost everything in the storm.

For many families, a hotel paid for by FEMA is the only viable option for now.

Read: Lawsuit claims FEMA ignored requests for details on Hurricane Maria response

Cox Media Group