Mahoning Valley - About 70 former Phoenix House residents packed into a ballroom Tuesday, asking questions and filling out paperwork to secure a place to live. For more than a month they’ve been living in a hotel free of charge after community donations covered the bill but by mid-January that money will be gone.

“We can’t fund this forever,” Roxann Sebest, the Vice President of the United Way Mahoning Valley said. “We need to get them into a more home-like environment where they're safe, stable, they have a kitchen, they have their own bathroom, everything that they need to feel more at home.”

The owners of the apartment building thought some residents could move back into the undamaged apartments but United Way representatives say it doesn't look like that's happening any time soon. Even with little housing options in the valley about a dozen organizations showed up to sign the seniors up for their open spaces.

“We have a landlord list where we are trying to be a connecting bridge for people,” Nancy Voitus, the Executive Director  of Catholic Charities Regional Agency said. “It’s not only just the availability of the housing, it's also can their income can afford the rent…is it in a part of town that is good for them?”

Along with the housing options people are also being connected with mental health support to cope with the stress of the explosion and house hunting.

“Paper work can sometimes be overwhelming…so they're here to make it calm and give people a safety net,” Duane Piccirilli, the Executive Director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board said. 

The residents have until Jan. 15 to find new housing. 

If they don't have anything secured the United Way will work with the resident and the hotel to try and extend their stay.