FloridaHousingSearch.org is a valuable resource for disaster preparedness and recovery. In the event of a disaster, please visit FloridaHousingSearch.org for updated housing listings and announcements.

The following resources can help you stay prepared and locate important emergency information.

• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Florida Hurricane Tips, Info, Maps, and Safety
• United Way of Florida
• Florida American Red Cross Chapters
• Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund

Florida Housing will be awarding $5 million to local SHIP offices in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ian to assist residents in paying their home insurance deductibles. Funding assistance is available to individuals, families, and seniors living in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties who apply and income qualify through their local SHIP office: Local Government Information (floridahousing.org)

Each office is currently working to get applications for assistance up on their website. As applications become live this page will be updated to include direct links to those resources. In the meantime, please see preliminary program information and requirements below:

Statewide SHIP Program Requirements:

• Income eligibility: Income Limits (floridahousing.org)
• Proof of insurance claim on primary residence
• Residence in one of the six listed counties

Local Government Information:

• Charlotte County
  • Proof of US citizenship and full-time, permanent Charlotte County residency required
  • Proof of insurance claim (renters or homeowners) and FEMA registration required
  • Full application with proper identification and verification of income of all household members will be processed
  • Acknowledgement of the Fraud Policy and notarized Duplication of Benefits affidavit required
  • A minimum of 1 in-person appointment required; Englewood and Port Charlotte locations available
  • Maximum grant award = $12,000
  • No direct payments/reimbursement to applicant; eligible payments direct to insurance provider or qualified vendor

If your family has been displaced, we encourage you to visit www.FloridaHousingSearch.org. This free, statewide search platform is updated to ensure all listings are accurate and can help you quickly locate an affordable rental property. If you do not have Internet access, you may also call the following toll-free number for assistance in conducting a search: 1-877-428-8844.

If your home sustained damage as a result of the storm, your local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program office may have recovery assistance available to help with temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal and/or home repairs. Please contact your local SHIP office directly for more information: Local Government Information

Florida residents who live in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties can apply for federal assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the  FEMA App. Medically dependent residents of Florida who need electricity to operate medical equipment, transport services to evacuate due to a medical condition or need help getting medication during a disaster can register for assistance at FloridaDisaster.org/SNR. Visit Hurricane Ian | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for Florida residents affected by the storm. The page will be available in Creole, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

If you have a private business that has been impacted, please visit FloridaDisaster.biz.

For any of our HLP homeowners, US Bank has a Disaster Relief Assistance page here: www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/disaster-relief-assistance.html

Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Federal Housing Administration loans (FHA) back the majority of U.S. mortgages – and each has some kind of program to help homeowners struggling to pay their monthly mortgage payment after a disaster. In all cases, a homeowner must initiate the process. Disaster relief options are offered to homeowners in declared major disaster areas. However, even homeowners outside those areas may have options if their home incurred a disaster-related loss that impacts their ability to make a mortgage payment. Foreclosure and other legal proceedings are also suspended while homeowners are on a forbearance plan. Click here to learn more.

Operation Blue Roof: Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operation Blue Roof provides homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs.