Hurricane Irma Extreme Image of Storm Striking Miami, Florida
(Credit: Warren Faidley / Getty Images)

Significant flooding damage to independent living units caused by Hurricane Ian is leading to the permanent closure of six neighborhoods at Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society–Kissimmee Village in Florida.

An assessment by a disaster and recovery contractor led the senior living and care provider to announce that 523 units were “uninhabitable” due to the extent of the damage, resulting in termination notices of lease agreements effective Dec. 1. The units will be demolished.

Good Sam Vice President of Operations Aimee Middleton told McKnight’s Senior Living that Hurricane Ian caused nearby Shingle Creek to rise to record levels. Kissimmee Village is made up of 14 neighborhoods across 425 acres along the southern banks of the creek and is part of an age-restricted golf course community. 

“Due to significant damage caused by flooding, many of the independent living residential units are unsafe for occupancy, and we have been encouraging these residents to secure other housing arrangements indefinitely,” Middleton said. “We recognize this is a very difficult situation for the community. We have explored alternative solutions, but unfortunately they are not enough to address the long-term challenges.”

Independent living units affected were in the Orangewood Place, Cypress Landings, Birchwood Court, Grand Oaks, Mapleleaf Shores and parts of Walnut Glen neighborhoods, according to an announcement on the organization’s website. According to the company, almost 50% of the affected independent living residents already have terminated their occupancy agreements.

Good Sam and affiliate Sanford Health indicated that October rents would not be collected from displaced residents and that refunds will be issued to those who already paid this month’s rent.

Before the storm, Good Sam / Sanford Health made arrangements to evacuate all Kissimmee Village assisted living and nursing homes residents and partnered with local officials to plan evacuation assistance for independent living residents, Middleton said. 

Middleton said that the provider now is working with affected independent living residents to obtain assistance and resources through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross and other relief programs, including Transitional Shelter Assistance, which helps individuals book hotel accommodations.

Good Sam, she said, will continue to maintain Kissimmee Village’s independent living neighborhoods in Village West, Heritage Creekside and the remaining units in Walnut Glen that had minimal damage. Its Kissimmee Village assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities also will remain open. The entire campus remains under a mandatory evacuation order issued by Osceola County.

The wastewater treatment system on the campus is operating on a contingency plan approved through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The wastewater collection system is functioning and approved for use as well, and toilets can be flushed without risk of sewage backup, according to the website announcement.

President Biden called Hurricane Ian the “deadliest storm” in Florida’s history. Fitch Ratings said the pace of economic recovery for areas affected by the storm could be slow compared with previous hurricanes.

Federal relief available, requested

Meanwhile, healthcare facilities and nonprofit organizations, including some assisted living providers, can apply for federal public assistance related to the hurricane. 

President Biden amended his major disaster declaration earlier this month, increasing the level of public assistance funding available for debris removal and emergency protective measures through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

LeadingAge Florida and the Florida Senior Living Association said they are unaware of any of their members applying for this funding assistance, however. 

“We do believe, however, that our members should receive some relief, as many have suffered significant losses,” FSLA President and CEO Gail Matillo told McKnight’s Senior Living. “We’ve also reached out to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to discuss ensuring Florida’s assisted living facilities are specifically included in Hurricane Ian relief plans.”

 According to FSLA, of the 1,174 assisted living communities in the path of Hurricane Ian, 149 reported damage, with 28 reporting major damage and 22 reporting being out of service.

In the letter to Rubio, FSLA asked that disaster relief cover all uninsured and uncompensated losses for assisted living communities related to flood and structural damage, as well as evacuations of residents and staff members.

FSLA also asked for financial assistance to compensate senior living employees for repairs to their homes not covered by personal insurance, so that assisted living communities “do not lose their staff in an already tight healthcare workforce market.” In addition the association requested that assisted living providers be reimbursed for increased staffing costs related to the storm.