KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Four years ago, Debra Begin moved into Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee. She tried for seven years to get admittance and the dream she shared with her late husband finally came true.

The now 66-year-old believed she would retire and spend the rest of her life there. In late September, she said that dream ended because of Hurricane Ian.

Her independent living unit became one of 523 units that were severely damaged. On October 17, the Osceola County inspectors report found 69 mobile homes were uninhabitable.

In a statement, Aimee Middleton, Good Samaritan Society Vice President, said those units would not be repaired.

“Due to the significant damage caused by flooding from Hurricane Ian, many of the independent living residential units have been rendered unsafe for occupancy and the contents of such units have been largely destroyed.”

“We have made the difficult decision to not repair a number of neighborhoods on the campus. Occupancy agreements for residents in these neighborhoods are terminating effective Dec. 1, 2022. Before the termination goes into effect, refunds are being issued automatically in accordance with residents’ occupancy agreements.”

Begin not only lost her home but everything else as well. She was distraught when she went back to her unit to pick up her anti-convulsion medication for her epilepsy.

“All I got was my husband’s ashes,” she said. “It’s all I got.” Begin claimed they charged her rent after her unit was damaged and had the bank stop future charges.

Good Samaritan Society denied those claims.

“Residents are not being charged rent if their unit is uninhabitable or not being repaired. We encourage residents to meet with Kissimmee Village staff if they have any questions about their unit or charges.”

Middleton also stated they are working with residents to get help through FEMA, the Red Cross and other agencies. Middleton says they are communicating with residents about relief programs such as Transitional Shelter Assistance. TSA allows people to book hotel accommodations.

Begin said she had to seek FEMA assistance herself. She said they placed her in a motel but described the motel as less than ideal. She said her stay will end this week, November 4.

Because she has no car, she said hopes to find a home near a bus route to get to work. She said that was what made her Good Samaritan Village unit ideal as it was a little more than three miles from her work.

So far, she said everything nearby has been out of her budget. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Begin said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. 66 and I’m homeless. I’ve never been homeless before.”

In a statement, an Osceola County spokesperson said local and state agencies continue to work to provide displaced residents with long-term living solutions through TSA.