NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Central Florida has been hit hard by hurricanes in recently, leaving many families without homes or with damaged homes in need of repair.

However, there is hope on the horizon as the state's Department of Emergency Management is stepping in to provide temporary shelter and assistance to those in need.

What You Need To Know

  • A state-run program has brought in temporary housing for those affected by recent hurricanes

  • Those using the state's assistance had to have been denied by FEMA

  • 266 trailers have been issued by this program state-wide, and so far 38 have been issued in Volusia County

One such family is Jim Towsley and his wife, who occupy two homes on about a quarter acre in New Smyrna Beach.

Their main home is still being put back together following flood damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

After applying for temporary housing from FEMA and being denied, the couple received a call from the Florida Department of Emergency Management offering them a temporary trailer through a non-congregate sheltering assistance application.

“I got a call, and the lady said she was with the Florida thing. She said you applied for a trailer,” Volusia County resident Jim Towsley tries to reenact. “I was like haha, I did?”

Until a week ago, Jim and his wife have been staying at a friend’s house about 12 miles away from the home they are rebuilding.

The program that Jim was able to get this trailer from is specifically for those impacted by Hurricane Ian who were denied housing assistance by FEMA.

In total, 266 trailers have been issued by this program state-wide, and so far 38 have been issued in Volusia County.

While there is currently no set number of units the state can provide to eligible applicants, the deadline for this program was on February 17.

In addition to the state program, FEMA has approved 39 mobile housing units in Volusia County and one travel trailer.

Unlike the state program, Volusia County is the only Central Florida county that has been approved for direct housing as of now.

For Jim and his wife, the temporary trailer is providing more than just a place to sleep.

Jim says that he will be able to do more work on his damaged home now that he is closer to it and can easily take breaks in the trailer.

“I can just walk in here and chill for a while and then go back,” he said.

While they hope to return to their original home soon, they are grateful for the temporary shelter that the state has provided them.