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Volunteers aid forgotten Ivan victims

Yes, you read that headline correctly. An elderly couple in the Navarre/Gulf Breeze area spent the last two and a half years huddled under a dilapidated roof, originally damaged by Hurricane Ivan in late 2004 and again by Hurricane Dennis in 2005. Lawrence Poulin, 84, and his wife of over 50 years Saba, 95, didn't qualify for many assistance programs and were conned by crooked repairmen before they came to the attention of the Santa Rosa United Way office. They have lived in the same mobile home for approximately 20 years.

"These projects aren't easy to do any longer because of the lack of funds," said United Way of Santa Rosa County (UWSRC) Administrator Sterling "Bud" Boomhower. "This couple didn't qualify for the repair grant funding because the mobile home is too old and it has to be on their own ground not a rented lot."

The inspection of the mobile home showed sustained roof damage and interior damage from hurricane Ivan. The couple has been living in such conditions for over three years, in which the damage has compounded due to the leaking roof. Hurricane Ivan inflicted serious damage to their shingle roof, they received some money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a small amount from their insurance company, which they say then cancelled their policy.

The couple lives on social security and a small pension. In the aftermath of the hectic 2004 Hurricane Season, the couple contracted with the only individual they could find. This individual was paid in advance for a new roof and then "proceeded to leave the area," Boomhower said. The Poulins took the remainder of their money and found a handyman to fix their roof for about $900. The Poulins relied heavily upon their son, an Air Force Officer, who died in the 1990's.

At this point in time, the post hurricane recovery funds have diminished and there is nothing available for these types of repairs.

Guy Brothers Roofing of Pensacola, which has been recovery partners with United Way for over two years, will put a new roof on the mobile home. Northwest Florida Services will begin on the interior repairs after the roof is completed. Knights of Columbus of St. Sylvester will provide the paint job. The National Football League will supply materials for the services.

The Navarre couple's situation is not unique. There are many individuals in Santa Rosa Count that still have hurricane damages and no prospects of help from friends, family or local agencies and organizations.

To date, since the Santa Rosa United Way has provided programs for major recovery assistance for over 2,000 families, approximately 500 home repairs and reconstructions, permanent housing for over 400 families and housing needs of over 180 families in order for families in order to retain their FEMA trailers when FEMA implemented their exit strategy

UWSRC has utilized over $1.4 million in hurricane recovery assistance programs along with its many funding partners. Many of those recovery strategies were shared with other communities in Florida and Mississippi.

In May 2007, UWSRC contracted with Santa Rosa County to manage the Emergency Hurricane Repair program grants. This program is currently underway with some funds remaining. Property owners in Santa Rosa County who will have hurricane damage can UWSRC Case Management at 850-623-4507 for details and to see if their situation will qualify for these government grants. This is an income-based grant for homeowners with site built home as their primary dwelling. Mobile home owners must also own land. For more information, call 850-623-4507.