Residents of Iona Ranch RV Park Face Eviction After Emergency Housing Program Ends
Residents at the Iona Ranch RV park are being evicted following the end of the Unite Florida Emergency Housing Program. The program provided temporary shelter to those affected by Hurricane Ian.
Unfortunately, the closure of the program has left some residents homeless, with no choice but to live in their cars. The Unite Florida Temporary housing program, which lasted for 22 months, came to an end recently, resulting in the eviction of the park’s residents.
Trucks have been seen towing trailers off the property as the park was always intended to be temporary. Its purpose was to give those impacted by Hurricane Ian enough time to find permanent housing and access necessary resources.
One resident, Tracy Hill, expressed her frustration at the situation. She now finds herself homeless and forced to live in her car with her dog. “The reason that they do that is so that you can save money, but I make $940 a month,” Hill said. “I don’t have my own place, and it was through no fault of my own that it got destroyed.”
Michael Watkins, another resident facing eviction, shared a similar sentiment. He is currently packing up his car and moving his belongings to a storage unit. “My last load is going to be my two cats and what I’m going to use to camp in my car,” Watkins explained.
Despite the challenges they face, both Watkins and Hill remain hopeful. They plan to work, save money, and explore other options that may assist them in finding stable housing. Unfortunately, when they looked into shelters, they discovered that pets were not allowed.
As the residents of Iona Ranch RV Park navigate this difficult situation, it raises important questions about the availability of affordable housing and support for those affected by natural disasters. How can communities better prepare for emergencies and ensure that individuals have access to safe and stable housing during times of crisis?
