Hurricane Irma Mobile Home Repairs
Donation protected
Hurricane Irma swept through Naples and did enormous damage. Our little mobile home park suffered great losses. I bought my 1977 house for $4500 when I lost everything in the 2008 recession. At age 79, I don't hope to regain the financial security I once had.
FEMA does not pay for "outside" damages, as long as you have a living space inside that is undamaged. The lanai above is not considered living space. They rejected my claim, but I am going to appeal because I had to pay $1650 to replace contaminated air conditioning ducts. That was paid by a collection taken up by my Facebook friends, for which I am grateful. If FEMA honors my appeal, the estimate of $8500 for reconstruction can be reduced by $1650, but I can't count on winning that appeal.
The estimate includes: attaching a new carport and repairing the roof damage done by the ripping off of the old carport. It includes replacing the roof of the enclosed porch (the entry to the trailer) and fixing the broken (plastic) windows blown out, and straightening the structure which is so bent the door won't close.
The estimate is from a man who used to live in this park, and is very experienced with mobile homes. He also has empathy for the fact that most of the homeowners here are not affluent, so I know his quote is far below what others are charging right now. (due to the crisis, many repair companies are gouging hurricane survivors for enormous contracts).
It has taken me three years to "upgrade" this old house to being livable. It needed a new air conditioner, new floors, new toilet. Every cent I earned and saved went to making the place suitable for the rest of my years. The porch/lanai which is so badly damaged was just painted and made to look decent. Then Irma. My heart was broken when I got home after fleeing the storm.
I have wonderful friends who have already come to my aid, and because I don't have children or family, people have been very kind. But I can't ask friends for this kind of money so I am hoping that perhaps those who know the needs of the elderly might respond and make my little house whole again. I thank you for your consideration.
This is me and my dogs, Sugar and Spice, a few years ago. I am grateful to be healthy, unhurt, and that the damage was not worse. I know there are so many hurricane and earthquake victims who need help, so I am very reluctant and almost guilty to ask, but I have no other avenues. Thanks for reading. Thank you for any help you might give. I send wishes for your health and happiness, in return.
FEMA does not pay for "outside" damages, as long as you have a living space inside that is undamaged. The lanai above is not considered living space. They rejected my claim, but I am going to appeal because I had to pay $1650 to replace contaminated air conditioning ducts. That was paid by a collection taken up by my Facebook friends, for which I am grateful. If FEMA honors my appeal, the estimate of $8500 for reconstruction can be reduced by $1650, but I can't count on winning that appeal.
The estimate includes: attaching a new carport and repairing the roof damage done by the ripping off of the old carport. It includes replacing the roof of the enclosed porch (the entry to the trailer) and fixing the broken (plastic) windows blown out, and straightening the structure which is so bent the door won't close.
The estimate is from a man who used to live in this park, and is very experienced with mobile homes. He also has empathy for the fact that most of the homeowners here are not affluent, so I know his quote is far below what others are charging right now. (due to the crisis, many repair companies are gouging hurricane survivors for enormous contracts).
It has taken me three years to "upgrade" this old house to being livable. It needed a new air conditioner, new floors, new toilet. Every cent I earned and saved went to making the place suitable for the rest of my years. The porch/lanai which is so badly damaged was just painted and made to look decent. Then Irma. My heart was broken when I got home after fleeing the storm.
I have wonderful friends who have already come to my aid, and because I don't have children or family, people have been very kind. But I can't ask friends for this kind of money so I am hoping that perhaps those who know the needs of the elderly might respond and make my little house whole again. I thank you for your consideration.
This is me and my dogs, Sugar and Spice, a few years ago. I am grateful to be healthy, unhurt, and that the damage was not worse. I know there are so many hurricane and earthquake victims who need help, so I am very reluctant and almost guilty to ask, but I have no other avenues. Thanks for reading. Thank you for any help you might give. I send wishes for your health and happiness, in return.Organizer
Beverly A. Jackson
Organizer
Naples, FL
