ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Residents at one Orange County apartment complex learned Friday they have just seven days to turn in their keys.
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The order came after flooding from Hurricane Ian left their apartments full of mold and mildew.
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Some of the residents at Sumerset Apartments on Lee Rd. say they have no place else to go.
The eviction letters some of them received simply say their leases are being terminated due to the possible existence of mold and/or mildew, and they have to be out by Oct. 21.
Efforts to reach a representative of the complex for more details on the evictions have been unsuccessful.
If you have to stay in a home that has mold after a hurricane or flood, seal off the cleanest room for sleeping with plastic tarps and leave your shoes outside the room. Shower and wash your hair before you go to bed. Learn more: https://t.co/gSvyVg1QSi #Ian #Fiona pic.twitter.com/akgKkVdTjg
— CDC Environment (@CDCEnvironment) October 17, 2022
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Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Jann Tracey says the people facing eviction might qualify for different types of assistance.
“Transitional shelter assistance, that’s basically what we call our hotel program,” Tracey said. “We may be able to pay their first two months rent, as well as their security deposit to get them into a new apartment.”
However, Tracey warns they need to file for assistance as quickly as possible.
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Tracey says the apartments need to be inspected by FEMA before the residents turn over their keys.
“An inspector will go out there and assess the property and make sure it’s truly uninhabitable,” Tracey said. “If it’s uninhabitable, then they are likely going to qualify for a hotel or a rental apartment or both.”
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