08-04-2025
Hurricane Ian victim gets home replacement through Resilient SRQ program
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — For residents impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022, the recovery process has been a long one. This week, a storm victim in Venice celebrated a big milestone in her recovery journey.
Crews showed up outside Diane Flanagan's mobile home early Monday to demolish it. Once her lot is fully cleared, she will receive a replacement home through Sarasota County's Resilient SRQ Housing Recovery Program.
'I wasn't expecting to get what I am getting. I was hoping for a little help, but to be in a new home that is built with more hurricane-resistant standards is just… it is just so comforting because the next one could've blown away completely,' said Flanagan.
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The retired teacher described her neighborhood as a 'war zone' after Ian. With less than two months until this upcoming hurricane season, she's relieved to finally have her fresh start. Surrounded by neighbors and Resilient SRQ staff, Flanagan was grinning from ear to ear during the demolition.
'I am very, very, very happy. I can't even begin to express how thrilled I am. I'm thankful,' said Flanagan.
Flanagan is one of the first homeowners in the county to receive a replacement home through the federally funded county program.
'A couple years ago when Sarasota County was really fortunate to get this gift of funding from the federal government from HUD, one of the first things we thought about was the county is going to be replacing homes, demoing homes, rehabilitating homes, things of that nature. It is the first time really the county has been in this business. It has taken a long time to get to this point, there is a big process that we have to follow and it's really exciting to see all those efforts come together here today and for these homeowners and over the next few months as we start cranking things out,' said Division Manager for the Program Management Division at Sarasota County Steve Hyatt.
Hyatt says there are 40 to 50 homes in the pipeline that will be replaced in the next few months.
'We will also have some single-family homes that will be fully reconstructed, and we have had quite a few of rehabilitations for homes. We are replacing roofs, windows, things of that nature while also taking those elements and putting more impact-resistant elements into those homes, like impact windows, roof tiedowns, more resilient homes are coming into the community through this program. We are not just putting the community back to where it once was, but we are making it better, we are making it more resilient,' said Hyatt.
Hyatt said other counties across the region are looking at this program as an example of what to do with similar hurricane disaster recovery funds
'We are trying to help not just Sarasota County, but the region to be prepared to take on this funding and hit the ground running and utilize experiencing that we gained to make their communities more resilient,' said Hyatt.
Flanagan is elated for the new beginning in a more durable home.
'I really can't put a number on what this might be saving the homeowners, but think about it. They may have had a home that was severely damaged and now they are going to get a brand new home, they are not going to have to worry about if things are met up to code or if the contractor pulled the permit, we are doing everything by the books, so the homeowners are going to be in a really good place when we leave them,' said Housing Recovery Project Manager for Resilient SRQ Tammy Owens.
The county received an additional $210 million following hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton in 2024. A draft action plan will go before commissioners on April 22.
'A lot of those dollars are more than likely going to be directed toward infrastructure projects. We will have quite a few multifamily affordable housing projects, and again, probably some projects like this today where there will be replacement of homes, elevation of a home, rehabilitation, reimbursement to homeowners and things of that nature,' said Hyatt.
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