Amvets Post 911 Inc

“I think they are waiting for me to die so they won’t pay up,” said James S. Northcote Jr.,

Mr. Northcote, 90, is a Korean War combat veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years. He retired with a low income, but was a hard-working, tax-paying citizen all of his life. He is a contributing member of several veterans organizations and serves as an officer of AMVETS Post 911 in Port Orange. He supports numerous veterans causes.

But he is the one who needs help.

 
Mr. Northcote suffered devastating destruction to his Port Orange mobile home from Hurricane Irma in 2017. After attempting to work through FEMA for almost a year, he applied to Rebuild Florida Oct. 25, 2018. It has been two years since that application with no work done to date.

“I understand that other people have suffered from this hurricane, also,” he said. “But it seems to me they are taking their time with me because of my age. I know it’s a slow process, but it’s been two years.
The hurricane took 40 feet of his roof, Mr. Northcote said. “I got an estimate for the roof and the estimate was $10,500. They (Rebuild Florida) explained to me it was an eight-phase program. I have had three caseworkers for Rebuild Florida. I’ve done all the phases now. They said it’s a slow process. Supposedly a contractor is going to contact me. They promised me a whole new (home).”

He added the only work done to date is on the computer or paperwork. No physical work has been done on the home other than help (especially with placing tarps) he has gotten from friends at AMVETS Post 911, VFW Post 4250 and American Legion Post 361.
The home is too old to be insured, so he has no insurance on it, he said. Buckets collecting water are clearly visible throughout the home. Mold is everywhere as well.

 
“When it starts raining, I have to start emptying buckets,” Mr. Northcote said. “The water also leaks onto the drywall and, as it dries, black mold forms. And I’ve got COPD.”

His bathtub even collects water when it rains and he has to move his bed when it rains to not get wet. He said he has not had any gas heat in two years due to damage. His home also was damaged by Hurricane Matthew, but repairs were made so these damages attributed to Hurricane Irma are new.
The mold is one of his biggest problems, Ms. Schwab said. “His home is so musty no one even wants to enter. Yet he has no option but to live there. Mr. Northcote manages to get by on less than $1,000 per month. Sadly, Mr. Northcote has come to the conclusion that Rebuild Florida is simply waiting for him to die so they can consider one more case file closed.”

She added, “In July, Rebuild Florida collected $1,000 from Mr. Northcote to cover flood insurance on his promised new mobile home. He was told a contractor would call him within 10 days. So, while Rebuild Florida is holding his hard-earned money, no contractor has called and absolutely nothing has transpired.”

According to the Port Orange Building Department, no one has yet applied for a building permit, Ms. Schwab said. “It makes me wonder if a contractor has even been assigned. They are saying they will give him a whole new unit, not just the roof. Thus, apparently Mr. Northcote still faces a considerable delay even if you were able to move this forward today.”

We as a community need to help. All proceeds every penny will go to repairing this mans house so that he may have a safe and healthy home to live in. 
Example: Anything that is not donated asfar as the following;
Roof, structure, cabinets, floors, 
furniture, air quality test, paint, texture, drywall, living arrangements while houseis being fixed, cleaning, mold remediation
the list is long 
My name is Tina Jones I am no relations to this gentleman, just a concerned citizen for a heartbreaking situation.