Disaster Response United States Project #36090

Habitat for Humanity - Hurricane Michael Response

Project Report | Nov 15, 2023
Hurricane Michael Report

By Whitney Celestin | Development Officer

After Hurricane Michael made landfall in October 2018,
the housing need in many areas of the Florida Panhandle
skyrocketed. With wind speeds around 160 mph, this
historic Category 5 storm demolished a multitude of
homes and damaged thousands of others in and around
Bay County. In nearby Chipola, Florida, an area that lacked
decent, affordable housing before the storm, close to 60%
of the housing stock was depleted.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the housing crisis in
this area is worse than ever. Many residents are financially
constrained, and the limited availability of rental properties
is forcing families to either pay exorbitant rates or live in
subpar conditions just to keep a roof over their heads.
Local Habitat organizations have partnered with
communities in need and local governments to complete
repairs, demolitions and rebuilds; build new houses; and
develop a strategic plan to increase the area’s resiliency
in the future. To date, these organizations have completed
more than 50 home repairs and rehabs and constructed
seven new homes in areas where they are needed most.

Habitat organizations are educating families on the
importance of homeowners insurance and teaching
budgeting and finance classes for new homeowners.
By performing construction-related interventions
and providing this education, Habitat is ensuring that
homeowners will have the strong homes and solid
foundations they need to weather future storms

Attachments:

Florida_Hurricane_Michael_2020Report.pdf (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Sep 11, 2020
Multi-Faceted Hurricane Recovery Continues in Chipola

By Eva Zamarripa | Development Officer

Tiffany and three of her children

Safe, decent, affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity helps families build and improve places to call home. When Category 5 Hurricane Michael made its way through the Florida Panhandle in 2018, it decimated local housing stock, destroying homes and leaving many uninhabitable. In response, Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity's Hurricane Repair Program has worked diligently to increase its capacity, providing home repairs for those who suffered damage while also incorporating a stronger rehabilitation program and building 10 new homes in 2020.

After her home was destroyed by Hurricane Michael, Chipola Area resident Tiffany was forced to move into a small travel trailer with her four children Kaylee (10, not pictured), Rynen (6), Kyndall (3), and Kynedi (9 months). The travel trailer had also sustained damage, which caused growth of dangerous mold and required a portion of the structure to be closed off, leaving the family to live in a confined space. Through partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Tiffany and her family have been able to improve their housing conditions. With the support of GlobalGiving, construction on Tiffany’s new home began in February 2020 with a crew of Habitat RV Care-A-Vanners and 9 other volunteers who spent a combined 275 hours constructing the house. The home received a certificate of completion in early August. Tiffany and her children have started a new life in their home, free from the health risks and hazards of their former residence. Recently, Tiffany, who works for the local county health department, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her new home will provide a space to recover and help give Tiffany and her family peace of mind as she undergoes treatment for her illness.

The significance of safe shelter has taken on new meaning as families around the world seek refuge and safety at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of Habitat for Humanity, our partner families, and volunteers, thank you for supporting our long-term recovery efforts to ensure that communities impacted by disaster can live in healthy housing and build back with resilience.

Habitat Volunteers at build site

Message to the family

Links:

Habitat for Humanity Disaster Risk Reduction and Response

Attachments:

Habitat Hurricane Response Strategy COVID19 Update (PDF)

4 Attachments

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May 14, 2020
Hurricane Michael Update from Habitat for Humanity of Bay County

By Eva Zamarripa | Development Officer

Habitat for Humanity of Bay County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Since Hurricane Michael hit the region in 2018, Habitat of Bay County has focused on helping residents get back on their feet after the devastating storm.

Finding a safe place to live after Hurricane Michael remains a struggle for many families throughout the region To support these families and the recovery of impacted communities, Bay County Habitat has rebuilt seven homes in the past year and completed 50 different critical home repairs. Their Critical Repair Program continues to aid low to moderate income families in need of new roof and/or exterior home repairs at low to no cost.

This support is particularly critical for the elderly or disabled who face unique challenges in the face of natural disaster. The day before Hurricane Michael made landfall in Panama City in October 2018, Kristina and Jeffrey made the decision to evacuate to Tennessee with their daughter and two grandchildren. When they returned, they found four trees had fallen on their roof and the siding, windows, and doors to their home had been severely damaged. With very limited financial resources and Jeffrey’s disability, they simply weren’t able to repair the home themselves. After fifteen months, Kristina learned from a coworker about Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program and was referred to the website. After applying for support through the program, Habitat approved their home for repairs. The family partnered with Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners, a group of mobile volunteers, to repair the siding, windows, and doors of their house. For Kristina and Jeffrey, the long-awaited repairs have made a world of difference to help them feel safe and secure in their own home.

On behalf of Habitat for Humanity and our homeowner families, we are grateful for the time and resources invested to help build back communities hit by natural disaster. This support remains critical for the recovery and resilience of communities in Bay County.

Thank you!

Links:

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