Temporary Housing & Emergency Shelter in Tippecanoe County
Last Updated: August 2026
If a storm, flood, fire or other emergency has made your home unsafe to stay in, temporary housing or emergency shelter may be available in Tippecanoe County. Where you should start depends on whether you need a safe place immediately or longer-term help while your home is repaired.
Quick Answer
If you need somewhere safe to stay right now, start with Indiana 211. They can help identify shelters, temporary housing and other emergency resources that are currently available.
Dial: 211
→ Find Help Through Indiana 211
You can also check for an open American Red Cross disaster shelter:
→ Find an Open Red Cross Shelter
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Emergency Shelter After a Disaster
Emergency shelters may open when a major storm, flood, tornado or other disaster forces residents from their homes.
Shelter availability can change quickly, so check for currently open locations rather than going to a shelter used during a previous emergency.
The American Red Cross maintains current information about open disaster shelters.
→ Find an Open Red Cross Shelter
You can also contact the Red Cross at 800-733-2767.
Find Local Housing Help Through Indiana 211
Indiana 211 can help connect Tippecanoe County residents with available housing and emergency resources.
Depending on your situation and what programs are currently available, this may include:
- Emergency shelter
- Temporary housing
- Rental assistance
- Motel or lodging assistance
- Homelessness prevention
- Food and clothing
- Utility assistance
- Disaster recovery resources
- Other immediate needs
Dial: 211
If You Have Homeowners or Renters Insurance
If your home is unlivable because of covered damage, your insurance policy may include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or similar coverage.
Depending on your policy, this may help pay for certain additional costs while you cannot live at home, such as:
- Hotel or temporary lodging
- Short-term rental housing
- Additional food expenses
- Other necessary increases in living expenses
Coverage varies by policy.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and ask specifically whether your policy includes Additional Living Expenses or Loss of Use coverage.
Keep all receipts for hotels, meals and other temporary living expenses.
For help with an insurance question or complaint:
→ Indiana Department of Insurance – Consumer Services
FEMA Temporary Housing Assistance
If FEMA Individual Assistance is approved for Tippecanoe County following a federal disaster, eligible households may qualify for temporary housing assistance.
Depending on the disaster and household circumstances, FEMA housing assistance can include help with temporary rental expenses or other housing needs.
FEMA assistance is not automatically available whenever a state of emergency is declared. Individual Assistance must be approved for the specific disaster and location.
→ Check FEMA Disaster Assistance
→ Search FEMA Disaster Declarations
Indiana Disaster Assistance
Indiana may also make assistance available following certain qualifying disasters.
Programs and eligible counties vary by incident, so always check the dates of the disaster and counties included before applying.
→ Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund
→ Indiana Disaster Resources for Survivors
If You Can’t Return Home Yet
If officials have told you not to return to your home, don’t go back until it is considered safe.
Storm and flood damage can create hazards involving:
- Structural damage
- Electricity
- Natural gas
- Floodwater
- Sewage
- Mold
- Fallen trees
- Damaged utility lines
If you’re unsure whether your home is safe after a local disaster, contact the Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) for local guidance.
Phone: 765-742-1334
→ Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency
Don’t Forget Your Pets
Not every emergency shelter can accommodate pets in the same area as their owners.
If you have pets, ask about pet accommodations before traveling to a shelter whenever possible.
The Red Cross recommends bringing pet medications, identification, vaccination information, food and other essential supplies if you must evacuate.
→ Red Cross Pet Disaster Safety
What to Take With You
If you need to leave your home quickly and it is safe to gather belongings, take important essentials such as:
- Identification
- Medications
- Phone and charger
- Insurance information
- Important documents
- Clothing
- Basic toiletries
- Necessary medical equipment
- Children’s essential items
- Pet supplies
- Keys and payment cards
Don’t delay leaving an unsafe property just to collect belongings.
Keep Your Temporary Housing Receipts
Save receipts and records for expenses caused by being displaced from your home.
These may include:
- Hotel stays
- Short-term rentals
- Meals
- Transportation
- Pet boarding
- Laundry
- Other necessary living expenses
These records may be useful for an insurance claim or disaster assistance application.
Local Tip
Call or check before traveling to a shelter.
Emergency shelter locations can open and close as conditions change. Indiana 211 and the American Red Cross are better places to check for currently available shelter than relying on an old address found online.
If your displacement is expected to last more than a few days, also contact your insurance company and ask about Loss of Use or Additional Living Expenses coverage.
Related Pages
Emergency Home Repair Help
Find programs that may help when disaster damage leaves your home unsafe or in need of urgent repairs.
→ Emergency Home Repair Help
Disaster Relief & Financial Assistance
Find Indiana disaster assistance, FEMA information and other possible financial help.
→ Disaster Relief & Financial Assistance
Flood Damage Help
Find safety, cleanup and recovery information after flooding.
→ Flood Damage Help
Disaster & Emergency Help
Find all Tippecanoe County disaster and emergency resources in one place.
→ Disaster & Emergency Help
Official Resources
Indiana 211
Find emergency shelter, housing assistance and other community resources.
Dial: 211
→ Indiana 211
American Red Cross – Open Shelters
Check for currently open disaster shelters.
Phone: 800-733-2767
→ Find an Open Red Cross Shelter
Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)
Local emergency and disaster information.
Phone: 765-742-1334
→ Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Disaster Assistance
Check federal disaster assistance and temporary housing programs when available.
→ DisasterAssistance.gov
Indiana Disaster Resources for Survivors
Find housing and other disaster recovery resources.
→ Indiana Disaster Resources for Survivors
Summary
If a storm, flood or other disaster has made your Tippecanoe County home unsafe, Indiana 211 and the American Red Cross are good places to start for immediate shelter and housing help.
If you have homeowners or renters insurance, contact your insurer to ask ab