We decided to move to Florida during Covid in 2020. My wife, Kathy, works from home. I am a chef in a restaurant. No jobs were available in New Jersey. Also, to assist Kathy’s 95-year-old mother and disabled brother. We were also hit with a $30,000 septic replacement on the way out.

We rented a small furnished duplex in Florida for 2500 a month and put all our stuff in storage while we set out to find a new home. We first purchased a home supposedly built in 2019, but when we had it inspected, it failed miserably, only to find out they lied and it was actually built in 2007. We then found another home bought in January 2021 that was brand new, 65% finished. The builder told us it would be done, and we would close at the end of March. March became April, May, June, and so on. As we waited, the housing market was getting crazier and more expensive. We’re still waiting for the house to be finished, but it never happened, so we decided to purchase another home. We found one in a lovely older community. It is a very small house, but the inside was completely redone and brand-new. We were thrilled to finally get our own home. We were finally able to unload our storage unit, which was 350 a month, and we were thrilled after spending $54,000 in rent while finding a house.

We moved in on June 1st of this year. It had a great big shed on the property. We were able to store all our extra things in 20 plastic storage bins. We hung our last pictures in the home and packed the shed with all our other belongings two weeks before we were evacuated for hurricane Ian. One day before the storm, we gathered all we could and left before the hurricane hit Wednesday. We were not able to come back till Friday because of flooding. The hurricane waters ripped through our house and destroyed our roof. Our shed with hurricane anchors flew through our fence, the neighbors' fence and then exploded. We can't even find remnants of things that were in the shed. Our house needs repairs from floors to roof and everything in between. We were told we must find a rental and storage unit again. Insurance will not cover the rental because the roof was over 15 years old. Dwellers insurance only now we must pay the mortgage of $2500, rent, and another storage fee.

We've never asked anyone for help before. We've always done it on our own, but with no Internet and no jobs, we're asking for help this time. Thank you, we appreciate it!