Off Topic....Deed Problem Hindering Hurricane Repairs

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http://weartv.com/news/Stories/August/0 ... airs.shtml

Deed Problem Hindering Hurricane Repairs
Written By: amcintosh@sbgnet.com


Some people trying to get financial help to repair their hurricane damaged houses, are finding out they technically do not own their homes, and therefore, can't get any work done.
As Channel Three's Andrew McIntosh reports, hundreds, maybe even thousands are facing this predicament.

Lewis McCants says the condition of the Pensacola home he grew up in, breaks his heart.
Ivan caused extensive roof damage, flooding, and other problems.
Then, Dennis hit.

Lewis McCants/Can't Get Home Fixed: "It just compounded the problem."

An SBA loan officer assessed the interior and exterior damage at over 90-thousand dollars.
When McCants tried to get financial help from FEMA, he was denied.
That's because according to the deed, the house is owned by Jessie Lee McCants, Lewis' mother who died years ago.
She did not make out a will, now her wheel-chair bound son is stuck living in squalor, unable to make repairs.

McCants: "This is my primary residence. It is my mom's house. It is paid for, so I'm not seeking funds to repair someone else's house, it's the roof over my head."

Tim Ehly/Rebuild Northwest Florida: "If you don't own it, we can't do anything for you to repair it. If they don't have title, then we can't do work, we can't even pull a permit."

Tim Ehly of Rebuild Northwest Florida says McCants' situation is becoming more and more common after Ivan and Dennis.

Ehly: "In some places in the county, in Escambia County, we've been told that there's 500 to 600 of these kinds of issues."

Hundreds more may not even realize that making home repairs is all but impossible, because the house they think they own is under someone else's name.
The charity is taking steps to help people through the, sometimes complicated, deed transferring process.

Ehly: "I'm trying to work with some attorneys. A number of them have stepped forward saying they'd be willing to help us. I hope that's up and running within the next week or so."

McCants hopes the attorneys can help him.
In the meantime, Elhy urges you to make sure the deed to your home is in your name, and...

Ehly: "If you don't have a will, make one."

People facing post-hurricane repair problems because of deed issues, are urged to call Rebuild Northwest Florida at 497-7024