Porter Family Housing Need

Our house was damaged by Irma in Orlando just recently. Water seeped in through the roof and damaged walls and floors. Extensive damage, ceiling caved in two different rooms. Drywall crumbling, insulation soaked, floors warping and breaking. Power was off for 7 days which is just about death in Florida heat. Kids couldn't sleep. Then, when the waterlogged drywall started incubating mold in the dark heat, we knew it wasn't safe for anybody.

Originally, our landlord came out assuring he'd be around to do the necessary repairs. Three days later, after no communication, I called him up. He was busy with another property, but informed us we should take our dogs to the pound, find somewhere else to stay and it'd be at least a week before he could come out to do anything. We have been here for 9 years. 9 YEARS.

I've turned to freelancing after losing my job of 8 years, while my wife contracts as a courier to help pay our basic needs. We work.

So, we've been staying in hotels ever since, eating up the little we had managed to save, having to travel an hour back and forth to the house to take care of the dogs and do what we could to clear and clean the property. The power came on after a week, but no one really wants to be here. It broke my heart when my son told me that he didn't want to go into his house anymore. The house is broken, he signed. It's not safe. The house is broken. 

Honestly, we're at a loss. We're not sure if we should fix the place up ourselves? Wait longer until we run out of money? Start looking elsewhere? 

What we do know is our "rainy day" fund has been taken by a very rainy day. Anything can help. We just want a safe place for our kids to call home. 

UPDATE: As suggested, I'm updating the story with some pertinent info for clarity's sake. Perhaps the addition of the burglary may have confused some as to what our goals are. That is being dealt with separately through the police.

1. My name is Tony Porter.
2. I live in Orlando, Florida with my wife and four children.
3. Myself and my family are the recipients of any funds raised here.
4. The funds raised here will be used specifically for house repair and renovation from storm damage to the property in which we live.
5. The funds are being withdrawn directly to our bank, and we are paying our contractors directly from there, as well as purchasing supplies for the restoration project.

Thanks again, everyone!