China drywall victims get OK to live in RVs on their lots

By The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 17, 2010

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TAMPA --

That sound you hear may be the collective groan of homeowner association managers across Hillsborough County.

County officials will let people with tainted drywall in their homes move into recreational vehicles on their properties while the homes are repaired.

The Hillsborough County Commission passed the resolution Wednesday, declaring a local state of emergency. By doing so, they grant homeowners the option of putting a trailer, RV or temporary living facility on their property while workers replace tainted drywall in homes.

The commission also passed a resolution Wednesday urging Gov. Charlie Crist to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's rejection of Florida's request for help in assessing damage caused by corrosive, caustic drywall.

The resolution, approved unanimously, calls on Crist to "activate all state and local emergency relief resources and mechanisms for the benefit of homeowners impacted by defective or reactive drywall."

Christian M. Wade