PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County said more than 100 people are still displaced following Hurricane Milton.
In July, the county purchased a property to provide temporary shelter to those experiencing homelessness, but this site will now help storm victims get back on their feet.
“Our intention was to turn this into a low-barrier homeless shelter and then Hurricane Helene hit. We noticed we had about 500 people in shelters and then Hurricane Milton hit and that made it almost 6,000,” Cathy Pearson with the Pasco County Public Services said.
This former assisted living facility is now being used as a place to restore hope for storm victims.
“We wanted to be a beacon of inspiration to people who are suffering,” Maggie Rogers with Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg said.
Many are still rebuilding not just from Hurricane Milton but Hurricane Helene.
“I’m actually living out of my bedroom. I do have a place to sleep. I’m making do,” Mary Cassady who lives in Gulf Harbors said.
Relief groups have been essential for many like Jennifer Jones as she’s been helping her dad who lost everything.
“I drove from Connecticut,” Jones said. “I knew coming down here I wasn’t going to get a hotel room because of the amount of people that was displaced and I don’t want to take a hotel room from someone else,” Jones said.
Pasco County said there are 130 people at shelters right now. Starting Thursday, this temporary shelter will be able to house about 100 displaced people. Rogers said people have access to showers, laundry and services needed to come back even stronger.
“We’ll provide them wrap-around services from case management, mental health services, as well as the day-to-day needs,” Rogers said.
The county said Catholic Charities also operates a family shelter in New Port Richey. By November, more trailers will be set up there to help families displaced by the storm and their pets.