State has 10,000 shelter cots; silent on housing Puerto Rican evacuees

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Eyewitness News has learned the state of Florida has about 10,000 shelter cots on hand, but state officials remain silent on plans for mass housing to give Puerto Rican evacuees a place to live.

Marytza Sanz said she talks every day with Puerto Rican evacuees at Latino Leadership who are looking for help.

Puerto Ricans are either living with family, friends, in hotels, in cars or are homeless.

Sanz told Channel 9’s Lauren Seabrook that more than half the people who walk through the door need housing immediately.

"We have families that they had rented a car, because they can rent it with a credit card, and the car has become home,” Sanz said.

Seabrook asked Sanz why so many people are taking a leap of faith and coming to Orlando without a plan.

Sanz said it’s close to the island and warmer than other options.

"We have the magic of Disney, and people see that it's a friendly and family oriented place,” Sanz said.

Eyewitness News has asked the State Division of Emergency Management for the fourth time since Wednesday if it had a plan to setup temporary housing here. The state has not responded to Eyewitness News requests.

Cox Media Group