'Where Am I Going to Go?' Floridians Hit by a Hurricane and a Housing Crunch.

[marmar]

(NYT) FORT MYERS, Fla. — Days after Hurricane Ian buffeted the state with a trifecta of wind, rain and storm surge, many Floridians are emerging from the wreckage uncertain of their next chapter — and fearing they may become homeless.

The extent of the damage and the number of people who lost their lives or homes is only beginning to come into focus. Much clearer is the storm’s likely broad and lasting impact on the recovery of those least able to afford it.

“I don’t have enough money to replace my car and my house. I got enough money to replace one or the other,” said Llewellyn Davenport, 50. The storm surge swallowed his car, and engulfed the 28-foot-trailer he lived in near Fort Myers.

Now Mr. Davenport, a sanitation worker, must make a tough decision: get another home or another car. “My entire life changed in a matter of hours.”

After the storm, many Floridians, limited by low or fixed incomes, face finding a decent place to live in a state that is mired in an affordable housing crunch. The state’s enduring popularity, inflation and soaring rental costs have made it one of the least affordable places to live in the nation. .............(more)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/us/florida-hurricane-housing-crisis.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. "Recovery will be hardest on people already struggling to make ends meet."

That would be most people.

[jimfields33]

2. New Orleans have the same problem. They sent them to Houston.

Is there any plan for a city in the United States to take some of them?

[mitch96]

3. "Is there any plan for a city in the United States to take some of them?"... Yup,

Tallahassee....
m

[BeyondGeography]

4. That takes organization on the front end

In fairness, New Orleans is a city and people in need are scattered over a wide area of much smaller towns. Large numbers of those affected aren’t concentrated in one place as people were after Katrina. Probably doesn’t help that authorities starting with DeSantis seem more focused on covering their butts right now.

Also, we’re in a different, more challenging time, the post-COVID housing market…these people are going to need all the help they can get.

[jimfields33]

6. Do you have some really valid points there.

Thank you for answering. It all makes sense.

[Srkdqltr]

5. I feel for these people whos lives fell apart because of the storm.

Do these folks become, along with the Katrina survivors and fire survivors, climate refugees?

[leftyladyfrommo]

7. I know someone who just bought a house in Florida.

I don't think they got hit but property there is going to be worthless. There is another storm that might come in over the same place.

[mitch96]

8. Same here. Sold his house for a healthy profit and bought a second floor condo in !

You guessed it. Ft Myers/Cape Coral area. All the windows busted out. Lost his car also. He said all the first floor condos were washed away. All the money he was relying on for retirement from the sale is now allocated for repairs. Really sad but he is alive.
First Florida hurricane and it was a doosey.
m

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. That's terrible. And why rebuild? It could happen

again.

[mitch96]

11. After the hurricane, housing is nuts. No where to go so he is gonna fix it. nt

[crickets]

9. No paywall link:

https://archive.ph/Tdc7L

This is so sad. I feel for everyone who lost so much, especially those who have lost everything. It seems those who need help the most are always hit the hardest and are the least likely to recover. Ever.