In most instances, disaster relief shelters are considered temporary. The ultimate goal is to provide a safe, functional shelter that can serve as a home base for families while they recover from a disaster and begin to rebuild their community and resume their ordinary life in a permanent home. However, the word temporary can actually mean a very long time when it comes to how long it takes to recover from any disastrous event. Displaced survivors may find themselves living in a temporary disaster relief shelter for months, perhaps even years. Today’s fabric shelters must be able to meet that need.