A Hillsborough County woman says her home, which was replaced through the Rebuild Florida Hurricane Irma Repair and Replacement Program, flooded three times in one year. Mary Simpson says the program promised her both a new home and a year of flood insurance. But when floodwater damaged her home, Simpson discovered the coverage she says she and her husband were promised wasn't in place.

Family says they were told they would have insurance.

Simpson says the family's new home was supposed to be completed a year after she signed her contract, but it wasn't finished until 2024. She says she was also told the program would cover one year of flood insurance as part of the rebuilding process.

"When we were in the planning stages, they said we'd also be getting one year of flood insurance," Simpson said.

But after her home flooded shortly after moving in, Simpson called Rebuild Florida to inquire about the coverage, only to be told the insurance was never provided.

"What do you mean I don't have insurance?" she said.

Simpson's award acknowledgment letter from 2020 from the Department of Economic Opportunity, now known as FloridaCommerce, states that the program would cover the first year of flood insurance premiums.

However, when she contacted FloridaCommerce for confirmation of her flood insurance coverage, they told her it wasn't available.

"I said I need a copy of my flood insurance, and I need to present it to FEMA," Simpson said.

The program was intended for those with low incomes.

On a fixed budget, Simpson is left trying to replace personal belongings she lost in the floods, including furniture and keepsakes.

"We ended up losing furniture that meant a lot. Beds are not all that easy to replace. A china cabinet and lots of family photos were all lost," she said.

She is also left wondering how to protect the home she waited years to return to.

"You didn't keep what you promised me that was in writing," she said of FloridaCommerce.

NEWS PAGE

HOME