A new hurricane policy at Calusa Harbour, a senior living community in Fort Myers, Florida, is raising alarms among residents who say they could be forced to pay $1,000 each time a storm triggers a mandatory evacuation, WINK News reported.
For seniors living on fixed incomes, that kind of fee can turn an already stressful weather emergency into a financial crisis.
What's happening?
Residents told WINK News that a hurricane evacuation charge was added after Sinceri Senior Living took over the community.
"They're charging us $1,000 per occurrence per hurricane to move us out of an area that is a mandatory hurricane evacuation area," Barbara Costabile explained.
According to residents, hurricane evacuations did not come with a fee under the previous owner. They said the community transported residents and moved belongings after Hurricane Ian at no extra cost.
Calusa Harbour told WINK News that the fee was limited to independent-living residents who depend on the community during a state-ordered mandatory evacuation.
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It said the $1,000 covers staffing, transportation, meals, and lodging and that residents who set up their own travel and accommodations would not be billed.
Why does it matter?
The policy saddles older adults living on fixed incomes with a disaster-related cost through no fault of their own.
For those relying on Social Security or retirement income, an unexpected $1,000 fee may be difficult — or impossible — to absorb.
Another resident, Richard Vail, told WINK News that the fee would be money he simply doesn't have.
"My Social Security makes my rent, and that's about it," Vail said.
Housing rules can limit residents' options and add expenses they cannot easily avoid.
Stetson University law professor Paul Boudreaux said a charge such as this can be legal if it is reasonable, and he said he expects similar hurricane-related fees to become more common as Florida storm seasons grow more expensive.
The outlet reported that the state's price-gouging law does not prohibit private senior communities from levying evacuation-related fees.
As extreme weather becomes more costly, such policies will put additional pressure on residents who already have limited financial flexibility.
What can I do?
Residents of senior communities, apartment complexes, or neighborhoods with restrictive rules can review what a lease or residency agreement says about emergency costs, evacuations, and optional services.
Requesting those terms in writing can help people compare costs and avoid surprises before a storm approaches.
It can also help to make a personal evacuation plan early, including backup transportation; a place to stay; and a checklist for medications, important documents, and medical equipment.
If residents can safely make their own plans, that can reduce extra charges.
People who want to push back on costly or restrictive housing rules can also organize with neighbors and send written questions to property managers.
Costabile expressed frustration at residents' inability to contest the new cost.
"What can we do? Can we go find jobs? No, we're all 60s, 70s, 80s … in that building," she told WINK News.
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