![A home in Hudson sits in floodwaters two days after Helene passed. [Credit: Mark Stone]](https://www.hernandosun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11-scaled.jpg "11")
Hernando County residents who must find new living arrangements while their homes are rebuilt after two hurricanes will have an opportunity to use temporary shelters.
The Board of County Commissioners cleared that legal hurdle at their meeting on Oct. 22. They unanimously passed an emergency ordinance proposed by county attorney Jim Jouben pertaining to the placement of temporary shelters on residential property following a declared state of emergency.
That ordinance states that when a permanent residence is deemed uninhabitable due to structural damage from a natural disaster, the county may not prohibit the use of a temporary shelter for up to 36 months. This makes the county code consistent with what is already established in state law.
One caveat is that the residents using these temporary structures must be making a good-faith effort to rebuild or renovate their permanent homes. Evidence of such efforts could include applying for building permits, submitting building plans to the county or obtaining a construction loan.
These shelters must also be connected to water, wastewater and electric utilities without presenting any health and safety issues and an application for conditional use must be submitted.
There was one other condition that alleviated the concerns of commissioners, particularly raised by John Allocco. The resident must be living in the temporary structure.
“My main concern is that it doesn’t turn into a short-term rental situation,” Allocco said. “There’s lots of people who are renting out RVs. It’s just that if this is a primary residential area, that’s my only concern and I’m sure the neighbors will be concerned with it once it becomes a problem.
“… I want the people who live there to be hearing this and understand that’s what this is saying.”
This emergency ordinance, which was actually recreated in response to Hurricane Helene and was delayed when a previous meeting was canceled the week of Hurricane Milton, will go into effect immediately.
“I think it’s great,” Commissioner Brian Hawkins said to Jouben. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”
