Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene, many Pinellas County mobile home residents say theyre still stuck in limbo and unable to repair or return to their homes long-term.
At Gateway Mobile Home Park on Gandy Boulevard, more than a hundred homes are still deemed substantially damaged under the countys so-called 49% Rule.
Unless a homeowner can prove their homes are not substantially damaged that the cost of repairs is below 49% of the homes value he or she will either have to elevate, demolish, or relocate the home.
For many at Gateway, thats financially impossible.
This is wrong, said resident Krystale Vanarsdale, who disputes the countys finding along with many of her neighbors. I had minimal repairs, and they still found me substantially damaged.
Some, like Brenda Tucker, say the int