Rebuilding Together's Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts

Making landfall on September 28 as a strong Category 4 hurricane in Southwest Florida, Hurricane Ian caused devastation in its path. With wind gusts of up to 140 mph, and rainfall up to 31 inches, the storm caused severe flooding and roofing damage to homes in an area already facing an affordable housing shortage. The damaged was felt as far inland as Orlando, and rural areas of Polk, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties where almost every neighborhood was impacted by flooding and wind damage.

While many non-profit and government organizations mobilized early on, few are staying long-term to meet the repair needs of Floridians on fixed incomes. Rebuilding Together has established a presence in the communities impacted and will be there for the long haul to help make Southwest and Central Florida home again for those impacted by the storm. Through efforts led on the ground by Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, we are responding with short and long-term rebuilding efforts for low-income families impacted by the hurricane.

We have an established presence with strong relationships that positions us to provide repair services to uninsured or underinsured low-income families, older adults, veterans and people with disabilities. We are working in an area stretching from Fort Myers, up to Tampa and as far inland as Orlando with a focus on areas most likely to not receive support from other sources. 

Our goal is to repair 1,000 impacted homes over the next four years. We will provide substantial repairs for 700 impacted homes, spending $40,000 per home and provide mitigation and prevention upgrades to 300 homes at a cost of around $20,000 per home.

Our focus will be on the envelope of the home, making sure the structure is sound and protects our neighbors from inclement weather. Repairs we are providing include but are not limited to:

• Roof repairs and replacement
• HVAC repairs and replacement
• Exterior doors and windows replacement
• Plumbing and electrical repairs
• Drywall and insulation replacement
• Shutters installation and garage door reinforcement

How You Can Support

• Donate funds to help families recover from natural disasters. Your donation gives hope and support to families in need.
• Volunteer. Home repair work that is safe for volunteers will not take place for another few months after first response cleanup is completed. However, you can fill out a volunteer interest form to be notified when opportunities are available. 
• Donate products, specifically: tarps, doors, windows, drywall, tools, appliances. Contact madelyn@rttb.org if interested.

About Our Disaster Readiness and Recovery Program

Rebuilding Together’s Disaster Readiness and Recovery program provides disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and long-term recovery support to help families and communities affected by natural disasters to rebuild their homes and lives. With natural and man-made disasters on the rise, our affiliate network focuses on community preparedness before the storm hits and the repair and rehabilitation of damaged housing stock in the aftermath. With a four-focus area approach of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, Rebuilding Together not only responds to disaster, but builds and strengthens community in the process.

According to FEMA, the long-term recovery phase of disaster places the most severe financial strain on local and state governments. Many recovery organizations conclude their relief efforts once first-response needs are met. Rebuilding Together is often one of the very few options for our neighbors still seeking assistance with long term recovery. Rebuilding Together’s expertise in owner-occupied home rehabilitation is a critical resource for recovering communities impacted by natural or man-made disasters. Through our expertise in health and housing and established relationships in affected communities, we are well positioned as a long-term provider of disaster recovery support.

Disaster Readiness and Recovery program services:

About Rebuilding Together

As non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together makes essential repairs to help our neighbors stay in their homes. Our work often goes beyond each home. Local affiliates who are rooted in the community work closely with community residents and leaders to revitalize our communities. Together, we create and execute plans to address some of the needs of each specific community.

Through our work, we are also positioned to address the long-term recovery of communities struck by natural disasters. We commit to our neighbors in need and help them rebuild in the months and years following a disaster.

• Mitigation: weatherproofing to reduce risk of property damage related to a disaster that cannot be prevented.
• Preparedness: cultivating community relationships and developing policies, protocols, incident command systems, training, and planning to prepare community for possibility of a disaster.
• Response: assessing the needs of the community after the disaster strikes in conjunction with government, private, non-profit agencies, and community members; participating in cleanup including removing debris, cleaning, and drying out homes.
• Recovery: supporting long term recovery by providing critical repairs to damaged homes and community spaces.