(CHARLOTTE, Fla.) — Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) expanded its outreach through participation in community events and Long-Term Recovery Groups, along with new partnerships acquired through a grant from the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF). The funding supported the launch of the Hurricane Ian Disaster Recovery Project, which aimed to provide legal services and outreach to low- and moderate-income individuals and families in Charlotte and DeSoto counties who were at risk of homelessness due to ongoing challenges from Hurricane Ian.

The primary goal of the project was to advocate for disaster survivors regarding their legal rights related to construction and repairs. FRLS sought to ensure that hurricane survivors were not displaced from their homes and could return after repairs. This included assistance with consumer issues, housing disputes, public benefits, insurance claims, and appeals related to FEMA.

Target populations included seniors, crime victims, veterans, farmworkers, and historically underserved communities. Legal assistance helped vulnerable individuals navigate insurance denials and low offers. FRLS provided legal representation during disputes, assisted with filing complaints with the Florida Department of Insurance, and educated clients about assignments of benefits.

Michelle Trunkett, Managing Attorney for FRLS's regional office, managed the overall grant-funded program and engaged with the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and the Long-Term Recovery Group to facilitate collaboration.

As the region approached the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, many low-income residents continued to face housing challenges and legal obstacles that increased their risk of homelessness. Outreach staff reported encounters with individuals who felt defeated by their circumstances. One elderly woman described her daily routine of emptying a bucket catching roof leaks, resigning to what she called her "new normal."

The Hurricane Ian Disaster Recovery Project not only addressed immediate legal needs but also aimed to refine FRLS's approach for future disasters in the area. The project provided legal aid for all primary FEMA-declared service areas and included support for various legal issues, including consumer, civil, employment, family, public benefits, housing, elder, and farmworker law.