This week, Governor Ron DeSantis visited our community to announce significant progress on state efforts to assist with recovery and rebuilding from Hurricane Ian.  Together with FEMA, under the Governor’s leadership, we are expediting debris removal and launching a direct housing program that will help more people who want to stay on their property while rebuilding.  These announcements represent tremendous progress in our efforts to rebuild Southwest Florida.  I am proud of Governor DeSantis for working with FEMA to cut the red tape, which will be a huge benefit for families and businesses across our community. Visit the links below for more information. 

Immediately following the storm, the Governor announced the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program, which provides short-term accommodations, like hotels, for those impacted by the storm.  FEMA individual assistance also helps with alternate housing, hotels and rental assistance, and many have used that option.

However, as short-term lodging ends, this week many of you want to be near your homes and property as you start to rebuild.  The Governor announced that FEMA direct temporary housing has been approved for impacted individuals in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto and Lee counties.  The Direct Housing program provides for up to 18 months of assistance for manufactured housing units, non-motorized recreational vehicles and other ready-to-occupy housing as people are making plans for permanent housing.

FEMA’s direct housing program will not be able to meet every household’s needs, so Florida will also have a state-led housing mission to provide travel trailers and recreational vehicles to impacted Floridians who may not be eligible for FEMA’s program.  With this help, you can live on your own property, if you so choose, while repairs to your home are performed. 

For the first time ever, under the Governor’s leadership, Florida has come to an agreement with FEMA to expedite debris removal on private and commercial properties using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to assess damage more quickly.

Typically, FEMA goes door to physically inspect structures, which can take weeks and even months to complete.  By leveraging this innovative technology, we are avoiding this tedious process and allowing FEMA to move more quickly, expediting debris removal in the most impacted areas like Ft. Myers Beach and Sanibel, where storm surge was highest. 

During Hurricane Michael, it took more than 20 months to navigate private and commercial property debris removal in some areas.  To have a plan up and running at this point in our recovery is quite historic. 

Below is a list of important contact information for hurricane-related assistance.  You may consider printing this list and keeping it somewhere safe just in case. For additional emergency contacts, click here. 

Local Resources

• 24/7 Collier Information Hotline: (239) 252-8444 or 311
• Collier County Sherriff's Office: (239) 252-9300
• Lee County Sheriff's Office: (239) 477-1000
• Collier & Lee County Elder Helpline: (866)413-5337

State Resources

• State of Florida Emergency Info 24-hour Hotline: (800) 342-3557
• Safe & Wellness Helpline: (800) 733-2767
• Department of Children & Families Information: (866) 762-2237
• Elder Helpline: 800-963-5337
• Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline: (866) 966-7226
• Disaster Unemployment Services: (877) 872-5627
• Unemployment Compensation Claims: (800) 204-2418
• Florida Department of Financial Services Hurricane Helpline: (800) 277-8676
• Verify Repair Contractor's Licenses: (850) 487-1395
• Report Unlicensed Activity: (866) 532-1440

National Resources

• FEMA Disaster Assistance/Registration: (800) 621-3362 or TTY: (800) 427-5593
• U.S. Small Business Administration: (800) 659-2955 or TTY: (800) 877-8339
• FEMA Fraud Hotline: (800) 323-8603
• Red Cross Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance: (866) 438-4636
• Salvation Army Hurricane Relief Information: (888) 363-2769
• Crisis Cleanup Line (for debris removal services): (800)451-1954

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

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