Forty-nine Puerto Rican families fleeing the aftermath of Hurricane Maria are currently staying in hotels in New York.

Genaro Rivera said he came to New York in early November and ended up in the city's shelter system, but he and his girlfriend were found ineligible for long-term stay because they didn’t have a certificate of domestic partnership. Rivera said they couldn’t afford one and would have ended up on the street or separated if not for FEMA, which is paying for a hotel room in Williamsburg.

“We are feeling so happy because we’re not living on the street,” he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Homeless Services said individuals must present proof of domestic partnership or marriage to receive adult family services as a couple.

FEMA covers the hotel cost for eligible Puerto Ricans up to 60 days.

Some who are no longer able to stay with family and friends are also using the program. Erick Carrero’s friends hosted him for two weeks after he arrived in October, but then his welcome wore out. He didn’t know what to do until he received an email from FEMA and booked himself into the same hotel Rivera is staying at in Williamsburg.

“I’m super thankful and this could not have come at a better time because I literally was going be homeless,” he said.