FEMA Extends Hotel Stays for Some Sandy Victims

Federal authorities have extended the amount of time people can stay in hotels and motels if they can’t return to their homes because of damage from Superstorm Sandy.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved four more weeks of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.

Normally, the program is only extended for two-week blocks, but FEMA officials say they didn’t want to force families to look for a place to stay during the Christmas holiday season.

FEMA will call eligible people and let them know the new checkout date is Jan. 12.

The program is keyed to areas with shortages of rentals and allows time to find new housing.