> 'I just want accountability': Family says state rebuild program left them with empty lot, no answers
'I just want accountability': Family says state rebuild program left them with empty lot, no answers
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It may not look like much, but an empty lot in Moore Haven is supposed to be home for Wendy Aguiar.
“I’ve owned it for more than 2 years,” Aguiar said.
Not to mention she’s been paying HOA fees on the vacant property.
“They have us trimming trees because we are residents there,” Aguiar said. “Everyone keeps saying where is your home?”
It’s where Rebuild Florida was supposed to set up her new mobile home. Back in 2019, Wendy signed up for the Hurricane Irma Repair and Replacement program after her home was damaged by the 2017 storm.
“They came and did measurements, and I got my letter in January of 2019. It was a full replacement,” Aguiar said.
Wendy Aguiar's home had roof damage that helped her qualify for the Rebuild Florida program.
She says after the back-and-forth with Rebuild officials and the owners of the community where her home was damaged, the owner of the park didn’t want Rebuild to replace her home there. That’s when she searched for a lot she could afford. The lot though, is in Moore Haven, Florida. It’s hours away from where she lives and works in Davie.
“I had to empty out my 401k,” Aguiar said.
She says that it was okay if it meant having a safe home for her family. She figured she’d wait for her new home to be delivered. She waited. After years of dealing with the Rebuild program, she says a filing error deemed her inactive and kicked her out of the program.
“Which I am not. I have the paperwork to prove it. I am still supposed to be getting a home,” Aguiar said.
She’s spent more than a year now trying to get answers.
“Back in August, I was told they would get back to me, and they haven’t,” Aguiar said. “I see government officials not doing the job they are supposed to do, too.”
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/rebuild-florida-hurricane-irma-investigation/67-e12a769f-6c48-469e-8aec-93fd31eca3c5